Georgios Radionov Rizaris

the Greek of Nizhny

rizarios signature image
His father Rizos (the surname Rizaris is derived from Rizos) dies and his mother Kali (Kalousio) is widowed. George is orphaned at a very young age. 

The brothers of the father of the Rizaris, Pantazis and Alexios Rizou Manthou are the ones who play an important role in the upbringing of the orphans.


1772
1772
Pantazis is engaged in trade in Moscow and upon learning of his brother's death, he invites Mantos, who is engaged in trade and often comes to the aid of the needs of Russian society, especially after the devastation caused by Napoleon's invasion.
George Rizaris, after completing his secondary education in his homeland, went to Constantinople for higher studies.

Here he represents the commercial interests of his elder brother Manthos, who is distinguished as a prominent merchant in Nizhna, Russia.

Lumio, previously called Foenix, was a social media analytics company that helped brands like Audi, David Jones and Red Balloon source legitimate influencers for social media campaigns.

“We were essentially the Instagram police and called out fake influencers left, right and centre. It was fun and all, but there is only so many bikini chicks you can look at on Instagram before you start losing your mind.”

Dan, Co-founder and CEO of Lumio

Lumio, previously called Foenix, was a social media analytics company that helped brands like Audi, David Jones and Red Balloon source legitimate influencers for social media campaigns.

In 1806, at Manthos' suggestion, he settled in Nizhna, close to his brother.

“We were essentially the Instagram police and called out fake influencers left, right and centre. It was fun and all, but there is only so many bikini chicks you can look at on Instagram before you start losing your mind.”

Dan, Co-founder and CEO of Lumio

The two brothers, distinguished for their extraordinary commercial acumen, set up a trading house here, called the "Trading Company".

Lumio, previously called Foenix, was a social media analytics company that helped brands like Audi, David Jones and Red Balloon source legitimate influencers for social media campaigns.

“We were essentially the Instagram police and called out fake influencers left, right and centre. It was fun and all, but there is only so many bikini chicks you can look at on Instagram before you start losing your mind.”

Dan, Co-founder and CEO of Lumio

The activities of the Rizaris brothers are experiencing a great peak. The Company's activities are found in Moscow, Odessa, Bessarabia, the Danube countries and elsewhere.

Lumio, previously called Foenix, was a social media analytics company that helped brands like Audi, David Jones and Red Balloon source legitimate influencers for social media campaigns.

“We were essentially the Instagram police and called out fake influencers left, right and centre. It was fun and all, but there is only so many bikini chicks you can look at on Instagram before you start losing your mind.”

Dan, Co-founder and CEO of Lumio

Manthos maintained a very close communication with Alexander Ypsilantis and the correspondence still survives not only between them but also between George and Ypsilantis and Ad. Korais.

Lumio, previously called Foenix, was a social media analytics company that helped brands like Audi, David Jones and Red Balloon source legitimate influencers for social media campaigns.

“We were essentially the Instagram police and called out fake influencers left, right and centre. It was fun and all, but there is only so many bikini chicks you can look at on Instagram before you start losing your mind.”

Dan, Co-founder and CEO of Lumio

1806
A characteristic inscription on the icons of the iconostasis of Pantokrator and the Virgin Mary, in the church of St George in Monodendri, reveals the Rizaris brothers being the dedicators.

Lumio, previously called Foenix, was a social media analytics company that helped brands like Audi, David Jones and Red Balloon source legitimate influencers for social media campaigns.

“We were essentially the Instagram police and called out fake influencers left, right and centre. It was fun and all, but there is only so many bikini chicks you can look at on Instagram before you start losing your mind.”

Dan, Co-founder and CEO of Lumio

Most of the icons of the iconostasis in the church of Saint Athanasios in Monodendri are of Russian style and origin, with the Rizaris brothers as dedicators.

Lumio, previously called Foenix, was a social media analytics company that helped brands like Audi, David Jones and Red Balloon source legitimate influencers for social media campaigns.

“We were essentially the Instagram police and called out fake influencers left, right and centre. It was fun and all, but there is only so many bikini chicks you can look at on Instagram before you start losing your mind.”

Dan, Co-founder and CEO of Lumio

1806
Manthos Rizaris is present, along with Skoufas, at the home of K. Rados in Moscow and it is here that the idea for the establishment of the Society of Friends is created.

“After this, we both took up golf on during the week and started eating fancy dinners at the local Country Club... Ha. This is not what happened at all. We suck at golf and love eating Guzman Y Gomez.”

Adam, Co-founder of Lumio

Mantos was also an active member of the Society of Friends - from 1816 - under the code name "Prothymos".

 He offered large sums of money (over 88,000 rubles) for the preparation and start of the 1821 Revolution and was declared a "Great Benefactor" by the Society of Friends.

“After this, we both took up golf on during the week and started eating fancy dinners at the local Country Club... Ha. This is not what happened at all. We suck at golf and love eating Guzman Y Gomez.”

Adam, Co-founder of Lumio

In September, Alexandros Ypsilantis, while in Odessa, sends a letter to Manthos Rizaris.

“After this, we both took up golf on during the week and started eating fancy dinners at the local Country Club... Ha. This is not what happened at all. We suck at golf and love eating Guzman Y Gomez.”

Adam, Co-founder of Lumio

It is Manthos who first conceived the idea of establishing an ecclesiastical school and entrusts George with his desire to establish a school in Monodendri.

The school is housed in the family home of the Rizaris family, where many orphaned children were inmates.

“After this, we both took up golf on during the week and started eating fancy dinners at the local Country Club... Ha. This is not what happened at all. We suck at golf and love eating Guzman Y Gomez.”

Adam, Co-founder of Lumio

Manthos died in Moscow in 1824, where he usually resided after Nizhna, leaving his brother George as his general heir.

“After this, we both took up golf on during the week and started eating fancy dinners at the local Country Club... Ha. This is not what happened at all. We suck at golf and love eating Guzman Y Gomez.”

Adam, Co-founder of Lumio

After the death of Manthos, George settled in Odessa from where he acted for the establishment of the "School of Greek Studies" in his homeland, Monodendri.


“After this, we both took up golf on during the week and started eating fancy dinners at the local Country Club... Ha. This is not what happened at all. We suck at golf and love eating Guzman Y Gomez.”

Adam, Co-founder of Lumio

 
George Rizaris, guardian of his brother's will, seeks for any acts of benevolence to be substantial and to stand the passage of time. All of the Rizaris's vast fortune comes to George, on condition that it be used for the freedom of Greece.

George, a faithful follower of his great brother and man Manthos, continues with great success, in the business paths of his brother, the commercial accomplishments.

“After this, we both took up golf on during the week and started eating fancy dinners at the local Country Club... Ha. This is not what happened at all. We suck at golf and love eating Guzman Y Gomez.”

Adam, Co-founder of Lumio

Being close to his brother's dear friend Alexander Ypsilantis and an active member the Society of Friends, he fully carried out his brother's wishes according to his will.

He disposes of all their fortune for the national and educational restoration of the Greek Nation in their now free homeland.

“After this, we both took up golf on during the week and started eating fancy dinners at the local Country Club... Ha. This is not what happened at all. We suck at golf and love eating Guzman Y Gomez.”

Adam, Co-founder of Lumio

George Rizaris, always seeking the opinion of the educated, in a letter to Adamantios Korais, in March 1825, writes:

Εἶμαι, κατὰ δυστυχίαν, ὀλυγομαθής, ἀγάπησα ὅμως πάντοτε τὰς μαθήσεις καὶ ἐτίμησα τοὺς πεπαιδευμένους, ἀλλ’ αἱ δυστυχίαι τῆς Ἑλλάδος δὲν μὲ ἐσυγχώρησαν νὰ εὐχαριστήσω τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν μου. Διὰ τὰς ἰδίας δυστυχίας καὶ ἐγὼ καὶ ὁ μακαρίτης ἀδελφὸς μου [Ματθέος] ἐζήσαμεν μακρὰν τῆς πατρίδος μας καὶ ἐπιθυμώντας νὰ τὴν ἰδῶμεν ἐλευθέραν ἀπωλέσαμεν τὸν καιρὸν μας καὶ ἤδη πλησιάζει καὶ εἰς ἐμὲ ἡ γεροντικὴ ὑληκία χωρὶς νὰ ἔχωμεν κλερονόμους. Ἀλλὰ καὶ ὁ μακαρίτης ἀδελφός μου καὶ ἐγὼ ἀπεφασίσαμε νὰ ἀφίσωμεν κλερονόμον τὴν πατρίδαν μας καὶ επειδή, κατὰ τὴν γνώμην μας, δὲν εἶναι ἄλλο ὠφελιμότερον ἀπὸ τὴν παιδείαν καὶ ὀρθὴν ἀνατροφήν τῶν νέων ὁ πρὸ ἑνὼς χρόνου ἀποθανῶν ἀδελφός μου Ματθαίως διώρισεν τὸ ἐπιβάλον μέρος τῆς καταστάσεώς μας, μὲ τὸ οποῖον ἑνόνω καὶ ἐγώ τὸ ἐδικὸν μου, διὰ νὰ συστήσωμεν σχολείον εἰς τὴν πατρίδαν μας […]. Δὲν θὰ μὲ κατιγορίσης βέβαια ὅτι προτιμῶ τὴν πατρίδαν μου ἀλλὰ μὲ ὅλην τὴν διαθίκην τοῦ μακαρίτου ἀδελφοῦ μου καὶ μὲ ὅλην τὴν επιθυμίαν μου νὰ χρησυμεύσω περισσότερον εἰς τὴν πατρίδα μου δὲν εἶμαι ὅμως τόσον ἰσχυρογνώμων ὥστε νὰ μὴ προτιμήσω ἄλλο μέρος τῆς Ἑλλάδος ὅπου ὐμπορῶ νὰ συμπεράνω ὅτι τὰ ἔξοδά μου θὰ φανοῦν ὀφελιμώτερα

Whilst in Germany, Dan worked with with brands such as Daniel Wellington and BMW - Ja!

Adam worked with clients like Vodafone, TAFE NSW, Adobe and also won the 'Good Design Australia' award for his work on the Seatfrog website.

Adamantios Korais urges Georgios Rizaris to benefit the public education of all Greeks and writes back to him:

“Μὴν ἀμφιβάλλεις , φίλε, ὅτι ὠφελῶν τὴν κοινὴν πατρίδα ὠφελεῖς ἐν ταυτῷ καὶ τὴν μερικὴν καὶ γίνεσαι τῷ ὄντι χρήσιμος εἰς ὅλην τὴν Ἑλλάδα”.

The name "Relume" is born.

relume

verb

[ri-loom]
To relight or rekindle (a light, flame, etc.)

Adamantios Korais, in a letter dated 5 May, gave Georgios Rizaris the title "chrisimotatos", since together with Mantos Rizaris they decided to make themselves useful to their country, by disposing to th state all of their heritage.

The name "Relume" is born.

relume

verb

[ri-loom]
To relight or rekindle (a light, flame, etc.)

On the 19th of May, Zanis Vlastos wrote a letter acknowledging the services of the benefactor George Rizaris, and appointed himself as a helper in the sacred cause of the revival of the country.

The name "Relume" is born.

relume

verb

[ri-loom]
To relight or rekindle (a light, flame, etc.)

In July, Georgios Rizaris, responding to a request of Ioannis Kapodistrias to the Greek rich men of Moscow, lends two thousand five hundred and forty talira, as part of the war loan of Greece.

The name "Relume" is born.

relume

verb

[ri-loom]
To relight or rekindle (a light, flame, etc.)

Rizaris went to Nizhna and bought a copy of the book "Περί των εν Ιεροσολύμοις πατριαρχευσάντων". Interest present his autograph inscription:  "In the year of Christ 1832, March 26, the present bible was purchased by George Radionov Rizaris, an Grrek man of Nizhni, and dedicated by him to be restored in the future by the spiritual (ecclesiastical) school of the Rizari brothers".
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A will was drawn up in Odessa which was revised and completed in the future by George Rizaris. In the will of 1833 there was nothing but the seed of the establishment of an ecclesiastical school, expressed clearly nevertheless.

To do this they would have to build a company that would be profitable in its first year. Not the next Uber of *insert clever idea*.

1835
Georgios Rizaris leaves Russia.

“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume

"DEDICATION OF THE BROTHERS MANTHOS AND GEORGIOS RIZARIS, 1835"

Relic of the church of Saint Athanasios of Monodendri is the precious Holy Chalice, of Russian manufacture with reliefs in enamel.

“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume

1835

In 1836 Georgios Rizaris is found in Trieste.

By order of Georgios Rizaris, his father's house in Monodendri is repaired and made available to the public for the establishment of a school, the ''Common School of Greek Studies'', as well as a boarding school-orphanage.

The future of the school in Monodendri is secured not only by the will of Rizaris, but also by a relevant Patriarchal and Synodal document signed by the Ecumenical Patriarch Gregory VI.

“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume

Georgios Rizaris returned to Athens in the summer of 1837, after a six-month stay in Zakynthos, and stayed in his own house on Adrianos Street. Making use of his fortune, he augmented it with continuous purchases, sales and real estate development.

“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume

1837
1838
In January, Georgios Rizaris acquires the "perivolion" on Ermou Street, which belonged to the Asomaton Petrakis Monastery, which also donates a large area.

“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume


The will of Georgios Rizaris consists of 171 articles and a codicil. Most of it was written in the last months of 1839.

Article 62 deals with the establishment of the ecclesiastical school, Article 71 with its name and Article 72 with its purpose.

“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume

Georgios Rizaris draws up his will of January 1, 1840, on the foundation of the Rizarios School, bequeathing all his property to it, always in the name of his brother Manthos.

“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume


It is a will that promotes excellence, ethics, democratic principles, social sensitivity and the values of orthodoxy.

After the advice of distinguished Greek intellectuals (Konstantinos Economou, Archimandrite Neophytos Doukas, Georgios Gennadios and N. Ioannidou), it is decided to establish an ecclesiastical school in the capital.

“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume

On 25 April, in a letter to the Greek government, he informed them of the signing of the will and requested that the establishment of an ecclesiastical school be allowed and that the provisions of George Rizaris' will be regulated.

George Rizaris, with foresight and rational thinking, took care to ensure with his will, as far as possible, the financial and operational future of his beneficence to the nation.

“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume


On 12 May the Royal Decree was issued, accepting his proposal to establish an Ecclesiastical School with his great national donation. In his will, Georgios Rizaris describes in detail everything concerning the established ''Manthos and Georgios Rizaris Ecclesiastical School''.

“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume

On May 12, 1841, the acceptance of the will is announced, and it acquires the force of state law.

The Ecclesiastical School of the same name, along, at that time, with the National Kapodistrian University, the Evelpidon School and the Arsakeion, constitute the largest educational institutions in our country.

“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume

On 29 May, three days before the death of Georgios Rizaris, the codicil was added, the document of last will for the completion or modification of the will, which provided for the relatives and other individuals. Furthermore, the order for the purchase of a house in Monodendri for the establishment of a Parsonage was taken care of, while various amounts were set for the benefit of the monasteries and churches of Monodendri.

“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume


Georgios Rizaris, on June 1, 1841, breathes his last breath at the age of 71. His funeral is held in the then metropolitan church of Agia Irini in Athens.

Georgios Rizaris himself, in article 68 of his will, explicitly states:

“Παρακαλῶ τοὺς ἰδίους τούτους Εκτελεστάς μου νὰ φροντίσωσι περὶ τοῦ ἐνταφιασμοῦ μου, ὁ ὁποῖος, ἐπιθυμῶ νὰ γίνη μὲ ἁπλούστατον καὶ χριστιανικὸν τρόπον. Τὸ σῶμα μου θέλω νὰ ἐνταφιασθῇ εἰς τὸ κατὰ τὴν ὁδόν των Ἀμπελοκήπων, πλησίον των Ἀνακτορίων, περιβόλιόν μου πρὸς τὸ δειὸν μέρος αὐτοῦ. Κατὰ τὴν ἡμέραν τοῦ ἐνταφιασμοῦ μου παρακαλῶ τοὺς Ἐκτελεστάς μου νὰ διανείμωσιν εἰς πτωχὰς οἰκογενείας χιλίας δραχμάς ”


“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume


According to his wish, his burial took place in the chapel of St. George, in the old Rizarios Church School on Vasilissis Sophia Avenue. "The Holy Synod, the Bishop of Attica, all the priests of Athens and almost all the inhabitants of Athens rushed spontaneously, and, by order of the Government, all the students of the schools in Athens accompanied the funeral of Rizaris."

“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume


The remains of the two brothers Manthos (who moved to Athens from Russia-Moscow) and Georgios lie today within the Holy Altar of the already existing Church of the School, at 24 Vas. Sofias Avenue.

“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume




‍‍
King Othon on May 12, 1841, honoured Georgios Rizaris with the "Golden Cross of the Knights". The Hellenic Parliament inscribes the names of the two brothers in the "Column of the Great Benefactors of the Nation" and on June 4, in a full session of the Athens Court of First Instance, the will of Georgios Rizaris is published.

“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume

The newspaper " ATHINA " of June 4, 1841, refers in detail to the funeral of Georgios Rizaris, which was held with great solemnity.

“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume

The vision of Georgios Rizaris was the high education of the Clergy and the operation of a Higher Ecclesiastical Academy in Athens. This proposal was ratified in 1841 and implemented by Royal Decrees on 25 January 1843.

“Relume was an opportunity for us to build a profitable business, not a startup that bleeds cash, whilst doing what we love to do. It also allows us to learn about all types of businesses and the problems they deal with. These are all opportunities that we could potentially solve for in the future. For now, our goal is simple, we want to build a kickass business which means we really want our customers and the Webflow community to succeed too.”

Dan, Co-founder of Relume

The Foundation of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School (Rizarios Foundation) was founded in 1841 by the Brothers Manthos and Georgios Rizaris and is today one of the largest active National Legacies of our country with an outstanding contribution to the Church, culture and education of the Greek people. Its founders, who came from Monodendri, Zagori, in the prefecture of Ioannina, emigrated from their childhood to Russia, where they created a colossal fortune from trade businesses, which they donated entirely to the Greek nation for the restoration of the newly established Greek State.

Their donations were catalytic for the education, culture, education and socio-economic recovery of Greece.

The vision of the benefactors is still being implemented today, building on the reach of the past, guided by democratic principles and social sensitivity.


The brothers Manthos and Georgios Rizaris were the forerunners and promoters of the Modern Greek Renaissance.
In the beliefs of the brothers, beneficence is identified with the concept of virtue, going hand in hand with the value of knowledge and education.
“ …ἐνάρετος ὅστις εὐεργετεῖ…”
("...virtuous he who does good...")

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