| Following the fall of Chandax to the Ottoman Turks, the church of Aghios Matthaios was ceded to the city's Orthodox community, thanks to the intervention of the Grand Dragoman of the Porte, Nikousios Panaghiotakis. Panaghiotakis persuaded the Patriarch of Constantinople Dionysius IV to issue a sigil according Aghios Matthaios and the small church of Aghii Apostoli in Rizokastro stavropegiac status, recognising their dedication to Mt Sinai and conceding them privileges. A sigil by the Patriarch of Constantinople Sophronius II confirming and renewing these privileges was issued in January 1777, through the intervention of Grand Dragoman Constantinos Mourouzis. The document was discovered in the church of Aghios Matthaios and is published with a brief introduction and footnotes. |