From as early as the 17th century, members of the family, which had acquired great wealth and political influence, occupied high posts in the Ottoman Empire, as dignitaries in the Imperial Court (the Sublime Porte).
They also held important secular offices of the Patriarchate until the outbreak of the Greek War of Independence.
On the onset of the revolution members of the family played a crucial role in organising a revolt inside the city of Constantinople.
Prominent members of the family were accused of planning the destruction of the Turkish fleet and decapitated on Sultan orders.
[1] Their bodies were hanged before the doors of the Levidis' mansion in Tatavla in Constantinople.