These moves emboldened the Turks, who began assembling a large number of troops to quell the insurrection in Wallachia. Ypsilantis marched from Iaşi to Bucharest, trying to enlist volunteers. Ypsilantis was constantly short of money and his men turned to plundering the region.[5] At Galatz, one of Ypsilantis' officers, Vasilios Karavias murdered the local Turkish merchants to raise funds while in Jassy the local Ottoman guard of 50 men were killed after surrendering and received promises that their lives would be spared.[6] It was then that the Sacred Band was formed, comprising young Greek volunteers from all over Europe.[7] Ypsilantis advanced slowly, not entering Wallachia until early April, by which time Tudor Vladimirescu had seized Bucharest.[7] A further problem aroused when the Patriarch Grigorios placed an anathema on Ypsilantis as an enemy of the Orthodox faith, called on true believers to remain loyal to the Sultan, and denounced Ypsilantis for "a foul, impious and foolish work".[8]