056_ATHANASIOS TEKELIS [TSAKALOF] 1788-1851HERO OF THE GREEK REVOLUTIONAthanasios Tekelis (Tsakalof) {????????? ??????? (????????) } (1788-1851) Born in Epirus {Ipiros ~ he was obliged to seek refuge in Russia finishing his studies THERE he changed his name to Tsakalof.. From there he went to Paris .In 1813 Tsakalof met Nikolaos Skoufas and Emmanouil Ksanthos in Odessa. Together they founded the Society Of Friends in 1814. In 1821; Tsakalof immediately went to Moldova-Walachia to take part in the War of Independence for Greece [The Battle of Dragashani]In spite of making an important contribution to preparations for the War of Independence; Tsakalof never became involved in politics; but was General Commission and was plenipotentiary for Epirus at the IV National Assembly in Argos {?????} (1829).After Kapodistrias' assassination; Tsakalof settled in Moscow where he died without becoming involved in public affairs.POLEMIKON MUSEUM