Refugees from Skopos in Eastern Thrace

In September 1915, the systematic persecution of the approximately 5,000 Greek Christians of Skopos in Eastern Thrace began, carried out by the Turks who had recaptured the area from the Bulgarians. This population was displaced to Tyroloi, to Raidestos, and in some cases even farther away.

In the beginning of 1919, the refugees of Skopos returned to their settlement, where they remained for three years under Greek administration. Subsequently, after the Asia Minor Catastrophe and especially following the signing of the Treaty of Mudanya on October 13, 1922, the evacuation of Eastern Thrace from its Greek population was decided. On October 7, 1922, the evacuation of the settlement of Skopos began. Following the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923, several inhabitants of Skopos settled in northern Evros, in Prosotsani of Drama, and in Kalochori of Thessaloniki, while the majority of them went and founded Neos Skopos in the region of Serres. The church of Neos Skopos is dedicated to Saint Demetrios, in remembrance of the Church of Saint Demetrios in old Skopos. Pictured: Traditional costume from Skopos of Eastern Thrace, Pantelidou and Mitolidou, Kalochori Thessaloniki, 20th century. ©Folklore Association of Kalochorians of Eastern and Northern Thrace “Kaskarka”.