One of the smaller Greek communities in the Americas is among the most inspiring. My day began at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Andrew, Igreja Ortodoxa Grega De Santo Andre.
I’ve met Father Errikod a few times over the last few years, and today he and the congregation were in full voice, joined by two other priests.
A beautiful service was followed by a Christening, as a Brazilian man took the plunge, literally, and was baptised by Father Errikod.
Afterward, we enjoyed coffee, cake, and, of course, Father led us in a rousing rendition of the Greek National anthem.
I caught up with people I’ve spent time with before, including Athanasios, Alexia, Konstantinos, Kyr Giannis, and Andrea, who is the president of the Greek Community and, more importantly, is youthful.
Her husband, Ausli, diligently helps at the Church assisting the Father, and he is also the local saxophonist. We actually jammed on stage together in early 2020.
Not long after, we changed venues, taking along a retired theatre director, a saxophonist, and the president, and ended up at O Grego at Copacabana, where Sotiris, Kyriakos, George, and a number of other locals helped celebrate March 25 in style.
This included some of the best Greek food in the world, thanks to the youthful, passionate Greek chef who has made Rio his home.
With ouzo to wash down the delicious food of O Grego, we were soon dancing, thanks to Paulo De Faveri. Paulo and his wife aren’t Greek by birth, but they are Greek in spirit as they dance Greek, speak and read Greek, and have big Hellenic hearts. Seeing Greek plates smashed, thanks to the owners—yes, I may have inadvertently broken one plate—was a throwback to my days in Greece!
I actually met Paulo’s proud dad at the church; they are originally from Amazonia.
The previous week, a delegation of Greeks from around Brazil were in Rio, and the Vice President of the Greek Community of São Paulo, Christos Kritselis, had sent photos of Paulo dancing.
Others have told me about Paulo, and it was great to meet him. He has been a staple of the Brazilian Greek dancing scene for years, when he isn’t working as a Personal Trainer.
The Rio Greek Community, which is over a century old, is one that needs to be supported.
1821 marked the beginning of Modern Greece, and they fought for our freedoms, a precious gift. We in the Western Diaspora, Greece, and Cyprus need to support these small communities as they uphold Hellenism with fewer resources. Zito i Ellas, Zito oi Koinotites.
*Billy Cotsis is the author of The Aegean Seven Take Back The Stolen Marbles.
More on Billy Cotsis’ adventures with Rio Greeks below: