Crimean Greeks Forced Relocation to Mariupol in 1778

In July 1778 the Russian Empire, under Empress Catherine II, ordered the mass removal of more than 31,000 Greek and Armenian Christians from Crimea. The relocation, overseen by Russian troops, moved the population to the northern shores of the Azov Sea, where new settlements were founded, most notably the town of Mariupol and surrounding villages. The journey was arduous, with many suffering from food shortages and harsh winter conditions, and a number of migrants perished. Metropolitan Ignatius negotiated land grants, tax exemptions and compensation for the displaced communities, enabling the establishment of a vibrant Greek cultural centre that preserved language, faith and traditions in the new region.