Eukleidis Kourtidis (1885 – February 10, 1937)

Eukleidis Kourtidis (1885 – February 10, 1937)

Born in the town of Santa, south of Trapezounta in Pontos, he was a revolutionary, captain and leader of a group of Greek fighters defending Pontos, from the Turkish hordes during the years of the Greek Genocide (1914-23).

As well as organising resistance and for the defence of his homeland, he is also credited with rescuing many Greeks, including a large number of women and children from the barbarian advancing Turks, to where they were finally transported safely to Greece.

Following the population exchange of 1923, Kourtidis found himself in Thessaloniki, finding work in farming, before settling in the village of Nea Santa, named after his occupied town in Pontos.

Kourtidis is a hero to many Greeks, particularly those who survived the Greek Genocide. A bust of Eukleidis Kourtidis, is situated in the town of Nea Santa, situated midway between Thessaloniki and Kilkis in Macedonia.