Peder Monier’in Gözlemleri İle Fransız Cizvit Misyonerlerinin Osmanlı Topraklarındaki Çalışmaları

Abstract

Close relationship between the French and the Ottoman Empire during the early 16th century raised an opportunity for France to penetrate into the Ottoman lands. The apparent goal that France aimed was to spread the Catholic belief in the Ottoman Empire. Significant number of missionaries had served this purpose by approaching the Armenians and leading them to Catholicism under protection of the Ottoman Empire. This paper discusses the 18th century missionary activities, in the content of western and eastern mission with Father Monier and Philippe’s activities in year 1711, in Erzurum as well as the translation of their journey from Erzurum to Trabzon. The journey notes, “Curious and Followers” (Letters Edifiantes et Curieuse) were published in Paris by the Selonik mission responsible, Father Francois Braconnier in 1819. This study targets the survival days of the non-Muslim community located on the Eastern end of the 18th century Ottoman Empire as well as the attitude that the Ottoman rule sustained against this group. The road map followed by France via the Catholic missionaries and their missionary activities in the Ottoman geography are analyzed.