after 6,000 of the inhabitants of moschonesia were also massacred, including metropolitan ambrosios, metropolitan gregory was instrumental in arranging permission from the american red cross to secure ships from lesbos in order to carry the women and children to safety. the turkish authorities agreed to this proposition. as a result, the largest part of the greek orthodox population of the city – 20,000 out of 35,000 – were saved by greek ships sailing under the american flag.