Philosopher, Teacher of the Greek Nation, Scientist, Priest, Statesman, Hero of the Greek War of Independence (1784 – 1853)
He was born in Andros to a wealthy family. He studied philosophy and mathematics in the Academy of Cydonia and by the age of 18 he had already become a priest. He continued his studies in Italy, Switzerland and Paris, where he came in contact with the ideas of the Enlightenment. Under its influence, Kairis returned to Greece where he immediately began his monumental work of awakening the Greek nation to regain its freedom from the Turkish yoke, for which he would be passed to the pantheon of the heroes.
He taught sciences in the Academy of Cydonia, where his fame attracted even foreign students. Sensing the coming of the revolution, Kairis joined the Philiki Hetaireia (Society of Friends) and together with his students travelled throughout the islands of Greece to prompt the subjugated Greeks to rise against the Turkish yoke. His influence was so great that the people of the neighbouring countries also rose against the conqueror. During the Greek War of Independence, Kairis took an active role in numerous battles, fighting alongside famous Philhellenes. After the war, Kairis gained a role in politics, where he voted in favour of the arrival of Ioannis Kapodistrias as Governor of Greece. Kairis was appointed professor of the newly founded University of Athens but rejected the offer, preferring to stay in his homeland and founding an orphanage, which eventually became a school. There, he taught philosophy, higher mathematics, experimental physics, rhetoric, ethics, astronomy, logistics, metaphysics and religion not just to orphans, but also to students who came from all around Greece.
Unfortunately, after the death of Ioannis Kapodistrias, Kairis, akin to many heroes of the Greek War of Independence, was dismissed by the state. He was denounced by the Church as a heretic and was hunted down, sent to exile numerous times and ultimately sentenced to prison, where he left his last breath. Even after his death, the hatred against him had not ceased. His body was dug out, cut to pieces and washed with lime. Eight days after his death, the court withdrew the accusations and vindicated him.
According to Adamantios Korais, with whom Kairis exchanged mail, he was one of the invaluable protagonists of the spiritual awakening of the enslaved Greece. By the end of his life, he had attracted attention from all around Europe for his wisdom, patriotism, contribution to sciences and his efforts to imbue the enslaved peoples with freedom.
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