Dionysius Rhalis and his Diplomatic Activity

Abstract

The study is an attempt at а profound analysis of the international activity of Archbishop Dyonysius Rhalis, whose work was dedicated to the struggle for the liberation of the Bulgarian people. The study begins with critical accounts of the historiography оn Rhalis - Greek, Romanian, Russian, Bulgarian, etc., clarifying some unsolved problems. The author analyzes further the question of Rhalis's nationality, with а hint оп the hypothesis of Rhalis's mixed origin - his father рrоpаblу being а Bulgarian and his mother а Greek. Rhalis's contacts in the sphere of foreign policy are exarnined carefully against the background of the complicated intenational situation. His relations with the Russian court, the Wallachian Prince Мichai Vitjazul, Rudolf II - Emperor of the "Holy Roman Empire" are also closely observed. Special attention is paid to his role and place in the organization of the First Tirnovo Uprising in 1598, as well as to his fate in exile after the tragic end of the uprising. ln conclusion, light is thrown оп some moments of his biography until now considered obscure, because of the extreme scarcity of sources. As а whole, the study enriches the inforrnation on D. Rhalis, coпects some inexact judgement about him and shows real place in the history of the Bulgarian people.