A Greek Orthodox priest known as Papa-Stratis, who worked as Giorgos Mazonakis's violinist before he was ordained, bid farewell to the singer this week by picking up his violin once more and playing the song "Mou Leipeis" ("I Miss You").
Papa-Stratis accompanied Mazonakis at performances early in the singer's professional career, working alongside him as his violinist before he entered the priesthood, according to the report.
A symbolic farewell
Wanting to say his own goodbye, Papa-Stratis returned to his violin and performed "Mou Leipeis" in Mazonakis's memory. The choice of song was described as a symbolic reference to the pair's years of collaboration and friendship. A video of the tribute was shared online.
Who was Giorgos Mazonakis
Mazonakis was one of the most prominent names in Greek laiko, or popular, music, a genre of urban song that emerged in Greece after the Second World War and remains widely performed in live music venues known as bouzoukia. He built a decades-long career and a wide catalogue of hit songs.
Tributes across the Greek music scene
Mazonakis's death drew tributes from musicians across Greece. The band Imiskoumbria honoured him during a live show by calling out his name, with the audience responding "kenos," meaning "a void," according to separate reporting on the same outlet.
Composer Stavros Xarchakos said Greece was bidding an early farewell to what he called the last laiko idol, the same outlet reported. Singers Anna Vissi, Angela Dimitriou and Elli Kokkinou were also reported to have visited the wake held for Mazonakis in the early hours of the morning.
Funeral in Nikaia
A public wake was held for Mazonakis in Nikaia, near Piraeus, where mourners gathered through the night. At his funeral, his song "Fevgo gia Mena" ("I'm Leaving for Myself") was met with prolonged applause as family, friends and members of the public paid their final respects, according to other coverage on the same outlet.
Separately, other reports on the outlet said the circumstances of Mazonakis's death remain under scrutiny, with a couple of doctors accused in connection with his death appearing before prosecutors at the Evelpidon court complex in Athens.
The report on Papa-Stratis's tribute did not specify exactly when or where the violin performance took place.
