Eleni Anagnostopoulou
Eleni Anagnostopoulou (7 March 1749 – 18 October 1866), later known as Eleni Paap, was a Greek-born member of the Paap family and the wife of Martinos Nikolopoulos. She fled the Ottoman-controlled Peloponnese in 1770 and later settled in Rotterdam. She helped Martinos preserve the original manuscript of the Book of Paap and raised their four children.
Eleni Anagnostopoulou | |
|---|---|
| Born | 7 March 1749 |
| Died | 18 October 1866 (aged 117) |
| Era | Early Foundation Era |
| Spouse | Martinos Nikolopoulos |
| Children | |
| Family | Paap family |
Early life
Eleni was born in Patras on 7 March 1749 and was raised in a Greek Orthodox household. Her family knew the Nikolopoulos family through the local Greek Orthodox church community, through which she became acquainted with Martinos.
Eleni married Martinos in the Peloponnese in 1768. She remained Greek Orthodox throughout her life.
Migration to the Dutch Republic
Eleni and Martinos fled the Peloponnese separately during the unrest surrounding the Orlov Revolt in 1770. They were separated for several weeks before reuniting in Vienna while travelling north through Europe.
After reuniting, Eleni joined Martinos and the surviving members of the Nikolopoulos household on the remainder of their journey to the Dutch Republic. She and Martinos subsequently settled in Rotterdam.
As Paap became the hereditary surname used by Martinos and his descendants, Eleni became known as Eleni Paap.
Family life
Eleni managed the household in Rotterdam and raised her four children, Melchior Paap, Johannes Paap, Maria Paap and Nikolaas Paap.
She remained married to Martinos for the rest of her life. Their household became the first established generation of the Paap family in the Dutch Republic.
Book of Paap
Eleni respected Martinos's religious writings and helped him safeguard the original manuscript of the Book of Paap. She did not reject its prophecy, but remained uncertain whether the events described in it would literally occur.
Her role was primarily in preserving the manuscript within the household while Martinos continued writing and teaching from it. The book later passed into the custody of Melchior Paap as the first Great Paap.
Death
Eleni died from natural causes associated with old age in Rotterdam on 18 October 1866. She was 117 years old.