ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΣ ΡΙΖΑΡΗΣ Bust

Born into modest circumstances in the village of Monodendri, Zagori region, Georgios Rizaris, whose bust stands before you, alongside his brother Manthos, rose to become a pivotal figure in Greek history. Observe the inscription on the bust, marking his birth in 1769 and death in 1841. The ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΣ ΡΙΖΑΡΗΣ Bust tells a tale not just of individual success, but of profound national impact. Orphaned young, Georgios followed his elder brother Manthos to Moscow in 1806 to work in their uncle’s trading business. Their entrepreneurial spirit thrived amidst the bustling Russian marketplace, leading them to amass considerable wealth. But their fortunes were not destined for personal gain alone. In 1817, Manthos joined the Filiki Eteria, a secret society dedicated to Greek independence. The Rizaris brothers poured vast sums of money, over 50,000 Russian rubles, into the Greek Revolution. Manthos, sadly, did not live to see the fruits of their labor, dying in Moscow in 1824. Georgios, however, carried the torch of their shared vision. He continued to support the cause of independence, aiding the poor, orphans, and those displaced by the conflict. He established the School of Greek Courses in his hometown of Monodendri, offering full scholarships and living expenses to numerous orphans. Georgios eventually settled in Athens in 1837 with a new ambition: to establish a religious institution that would educate future priests for the newly formed Greek state. The Rizarios Hieratical School, named in honor of the brothers’ contributions, began operating in 1843, shortly after Georgios’s death. Today, it continues its legacy as a prominent religious and educational institution in Halandri, Athens. The ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΣ ΡΙΖΑΡΗΣ Bust serves as a silent testament to a life dedicated not just to commerce, but to the liberation and enlightenment of a nation.