\n<\/p>\n
Father Antonios, who became the spiritual director of Greek singer George Mazonakis in the months before his death, has spoken about their relationship and the personal struggles they discussed in private.<\/p>\n
Speaking on ANT1\u2019s To Proino<\/em>, Father Antonios said their relationship began after a chance meeting on a flight from Larnaca to Athens during the summer of 2026.<\/p>\n According to the priest, Mazonakis invited him to sit beside him in the front section of the plane and asked him to hear his confession. Their first conversation lasted around 90 minutes.<\/p>\n The meeting was followed by further contact through personal meetings, phone calls and messages, continuing until Mazonakis\u2019 death.<\/p>\n Father Antonios said Mazonakis was aware of his personal difficulties and was actively looking for ways to address them.<\/p>\n \u201cGeorge Mazonakis was first of all aware of his situation. He knew very well what his passions were. He knew very well how to name them. And most importantly, he was looking for solutions,\u201d Father Antonios said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Father Antonios also spoke about what he described as Mazonakis\u2019 extensive charitable activity, saying the singer preferred to help others without seeking publicity.<\/p>\n He particularly highlighted Mazonakis\u2019 sensitivity towards children and cases involving child abuse.<\/p>\n \u201cI saw a very sensitive man,\u201d he said, describing the singer as someone who was close to a number of families.<\/p>\n Father Antonios said he was struck by the amount of money Mazonakis gave to people in need while keeping his contributions private.<\/p>\n \u201cHe gave so much money. Lavishly and invisibly. He didn\u2019t project himself into anything,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Father Antonios also described Mazonakis as someone who experienced significant loneliness and wanted a meaningful relationship built on trust and security.<\/p>\n He said the singer had been hurt by people who, in his account, had taken advantage of him financially.<\/p>\n \u201cHe went so far as to tell me directly, \u2018I don\u2019t want to be seen as a wallet,\u2019\u201d Father Antonios said.<\/p>\n According to the priest, Mazonakis wanted people to see him as a complete person rather than through the lens of his wealth or public profile.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to be seen horizontally. I want to be seen vertically, as a complete personality,\u201d Father Antonios recalled him saying.<\/p>\n Father Antonios also recalled emotional moments during their conversations, saying Mazonakis frequently turned to his faith for support.<\/p>\n He said the singer often made the sign of the cross and sometimes became emotional during their discussions.<\/p>\n \u201cHe sobbed many times,\u201d Father Antonios said, recalling one occasion when Mazonakis took out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes.<\/p>\n The priest said he interpreted those tears as an expression of repentance and spiritual struggle.<\/p>\n Father Antonios also said Mazonakis deliberately avoided discussing his family, and that he respected his decision.<\/p>\n \u201cI also diligently avoided talking about it, because if one doesn\u2019t hear both sides, one can\u2019t have a complete picture,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Father Antonios said he continued communicating with Mazonakis through messages, phone calls and face-to-face meetings until the singer\u2019s death.<\/p>\n He estimated that they met in person around seven or eight times.<\/p>\n Looking back on their conversations, the priest described Mazonakis as sensitive and vulnerable, saying he was dealing with insecurities while seeking spiritual support.<\/p>\n \u201cI saw him sensitive, therefore vulnerable, with insecurities, and he was trying to hold on to the hand of God,\u201d Father Antonios said.<\/p>\n\n
Mazonakis\u2019 charitable work away from the spotlight<\/h3>\n
\u2018I don\u2019t want to be seen as a wallet\u2019<\/h3>\n
Mazonakis and his faith<\/h3>\n
Their contact continued until his death<\/h3>\n