The Foundation of Rizarios Ecclesiastical School (Rizarios Foundation) was founded in 1841 by brothers Manthos and Georgios Rizari and is until today one of the largest active National Endowment of Greece.
The Rizari brothers were born in Monodendri, emigrated from their childhood in Russia, where they achieved great success in commercial enterprises and offered substantial financial aid to the Greek War of Independence. Manthos Rizaris indeed was one of the first members of the “Society of Friends” and was known to friends with the nickname “Eager”.
In 1837 George Rizaris settled to Athens. His goal was to found a Religious Institution in the newly formed Greek state for the education of the priests. At 1843, after his death, the Hieratical School has started to function. In gratitude for their contribution, the School, was named: Rizarios Hieratical School, which at the time, along with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Army Academy and the Arsakeion School, constituted the largest educational institutions of Greece.
Today the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School is operating as Ecclesiastical High School based in a modern and comfortable campus in Halandri, Athens. Graduates have access to the Universities. Students provided also with free meals, residency, educational materials,and medical care.
The Rizarios Foundation established in Monodendri village in 1979 the Rizarios Handicraft School, a famous institution as part of the educational, cultural and social activities of the Rizarios Foundation in Epirus. The school imparts training, free of cost, to girls, particularly in traditional arts and handicrafts that are gradually becoming extinct.
There is also an exhibition-sales area for the products.
In 2001 at the same place established by the Rizarios Foundation the Rizarios Exhibition Center as a tribute to the brothers Manthos and Georgios Rizaris. The exhibitions focus to the Greek and the Balkan area, giving a special emphasis on the promotion of the photographic heritage of Greece.
In Monodendri there is also the Rizarios Conference Center.
The open-air theater "Aggelos Kitsos" is already in function hosting important theatrical and musical performances during the summer months.
The Rizarios Boarding School in Monodendri is opened in 1962 offering until today hospitality to many pupils and students from all Zagori villages.

www.rizarios.gr