Gabriel Misios
Gabriel Misios | |
|---|---|
Γαβριήλ Μίσιος | |
| Born | 1902 Symi, Greece |
| Died | 1968 Rhodes, Greece |
| Nationality | Greek |
| Occupation(s) | Sports administrator, community leader |
| Known for | Founder of Dorieas |
Gabriel Misios (Greek: Γαβριήλ Μίσιος; 1902–1968) was a Greek sports administrator, community leader and resistance figure on the island of Rhodes during the Italian occupation of the Dodecanese and subsequent German control in the Second World War.[1]
Misios founded the Dodecanesian Athletic and Nautical Club Dorieas in 1924, the first organised football and multi‑sport club in the Dodecanese, and through it built much of the region's athletic infrastructure.[2] Misios used sport as a form of cultural resistance under Fascist rule, instilling patriotism in Rhodian youth and preserving Greek identity. His activities drew repression; he was arrested and exiled during the war for fostering Greek national spirit.[3] After liberation, he remained active in sports administration, journalism and public service.[4]
Early life and education
[edit]Misios was born on the island of Symi in 1902.[1] A strong sense of patriotism led him to enlist in the Hellenic Navy, serving aboard the armoured cruiser Elli before the Asia Minor Catastrophe of 1922.[3] After his naval discharge, he settled in Rhodes and became known as a well‑read organiser and writer.[5]
Career
[edit]In August 1924, during Italian rule, Misios founded Dans Dorieas and became its first president at age 22.[1] He expanded the club beyond football to basketball, athletics, cycling, boxing, rowing and sailing, making it a centre of Rhodian social life.[1][2] Fascist decrees in 1929 and 1934–35 dissolved Greek clubs; Misios responded by forming the clandestine Athletic Rhodian Club to keep sport alive.[6]
During World War II, Italian authorities arrested him for nationalist activity and exiled him to Tilos (1940–1942).[1][3] After liberation, he re‑established Dorieas, which later reached the Greek Second Division, and in 1947 helped found the Dodecanese Football Clubs Association (ΕΠΣΔ), serving as its first president.[1][4] That same year, he was appointed General Secretary of the Municipality of Rhodes and witnessed the Greek flag‑raising ceremony of 31 March 1947.[4]
Misios presided over Dorieas for 24 years in total. During the Cyprus Emergency, he returned a ceremonial flag of HMS London to the British consul (22 March 1956) in protest of British policy.[1][5]
From the late‑1940s to the 1960s, Misios also wrote extensively for local newspapers, documenting Dodecanesian social history.[6]
Philanthropy
[edit]Misios devoted his life to voluntary organisation of youth sport, viewing athletics as a social support system under occupation.[1] Through matches, cultural events and fundraisers he channelled proceeds to student meal programmes and other relief, to mitigate wartime poverty.[3] After the war, he mentored young athletes and, through journalism, promoted local heritage and solidarity.[6]
Personal life
[edit]Misios was married and had six children.[7] His son George Misios contributed to the design elements of Dans Dorieus symbols as a designer.[8]
Awards and honours
[edit]- Honorary president of the Dodecanese Football Clubs Association (1947).[4]
- The Municipality of Rhodes named Odós Gavriil Misiou in his honour.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h Bratsos, Nasos (4 March 2023). "Δ.Α.Ν.Σ. Δωριεύς: Αθλητισμός και κοινωνική προσφορά από το 1924 στα Δωδεκάνησα". ERT News (in Greek).
- ^ a b "Δωδεκανησιακός Α.Ν. Σύλλογος Δωριεύς – 95 χρόνια ιστορίας". 12sports.gr (in Greek). 19 August 2019.
- ^ a b c d Hondros, Kyriakos M. (30 October 2023). "Ένα Συμιακό ναυτάκι από το εύδρομο «Έλλη», σπουδαίος αθλητικός και κοινωνικός παράγοντας". Neos Kosmos (in Greek).
- ^ a b c d Douvalis, Makis (24 August 2024). "Έναν αιώνα ζωής κλείνει ο θρυλικός Δωριέας!". Η Δημοκρατική της Ρόδου (in Greek).
- ^ a b c Xondros, Kyriakos M. (19 April 2025). "100 χρόνια ανάδειξης ροδιακής ιστορικής μνήμης (Bʼ Μέρος)". Η Ροδιακή (in Greek).
- ^ a b c Xondros, Kyriakos M. (18 April 2025). "100 χρόνια ανάδειξης ροδιακής ιστορικής μνήμης (Aʼ Μέρος)". Η Ροδιακή (in Greek).
- ^ Αθανασίου, Δαμιανός (13 March 2024). "Ένα σπάνιο ντοκουμέντο για την Ενσωμάτωση της Δωδ/νήσου". Η Δημοκρατική (in Greek).
- ^ Hondros, Kyriakos M. (2003). Η Μεγάλη Ιστορία της Θρυλικής Ομάδας ΔΑΝΣ ΔΩΡΙΕΥΣ (in Greek). Rhodes, Greece: DANS DORIEAS. p. 194.