Rev. Evagoras Constantinides
Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne
Dean of the Cathedral
Father Evagoras is a canonically ordained Orthodox Priest and has served the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America since 2009.
Father Evagoras, or “Father Ev” as he is known, began his ministry at the Archdiocesan Headquarters in New York City. He has served as the Spokesman for Saint Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center, the Director of the Office of Camping Ministries, the Archdiocesan Registrar, the Chairman of the Spiritual Court, the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Direct Archdiocesan District, Chairman of the Youth Protection Committee, as well as the personal representative of the Archbishop of America to the Youth Committee of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops.
Father Evagoras also served the needs of various parishes, including interim assignments in the New York Metropolitan area at Saint Peter’s Greek Orthodox Church in the Bronx (2012-2014), Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Washington Heights(2016-2017), and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn (2018).
From 2011 – 2019, Father Evagoras served as the Director of Ionian Village, the Archdiocesan Summer Camp in Greece. During his time as Director, Father oversaw the largest rise in camper registrations, with the programs being fully sold out almost every year. He revitalized the Spiritual Odyssey program for Young Adults, and later transformed that into IVNext, a Ministry Networking program that was funded through a generous grant from Leadership 100. Father conceived the “IV On the Go” program, that sent former Staff members to parishes across the Archdiocese to run weekend long retreats in the unique style of Ionian Village. Father and his Administrative team completely re-wrote the program and curriculum of the camp, focusing every aspect of the camp on love for Jesus Christ and a love for Greece, its people, culture and history. In addition, Father Evagoras oversaw a complete renovation of the campsite, the first in over 40 years. This included the building of a new chlorinated pool, installation of iconography in the camp’s iconic Chapel, construction of an outdoor chapel area, as well as a complete overhaul of the infrastructure of the camp and its systems following a catastrophic tornado in 2016. During his time as Director, Father Evagoras had the opportunity to meet and guide thousands of young campers and hundreds of young adult Staff Members at Ionian Village.
In 2018, Father Evagoras was appointed as the Dean of the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Brooklyn. In addition to overseeing all ministry at the Cathedral, he serves as Spiritual Advisor, Religion Department Chair and Instructor at the Cathedral’s A. Fantis School, a Pre-K through 8th grade day school.
Father Evagoras was also appointed by Archbishop Elpidophoros to serve as the Spokesman for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in 2020 as well as Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center. In turn, Father Evagoras then became the Director of Special Events for the Archdiocese.
In 2021, Father Evagoras was elevated to the ecclesiastical rank (offikion) of Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during the Apostolic Visit. This is the highest rank given to married clergy, it is only bestowed by the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Father Evagoras holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from Monmouth College and a Master of Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. His wife Maria (Calender), of Bethesda, Maryland, is an active part of his ministry and together, they have two sons, Christopher and Yianni, who are both are students at A. Fantis School.
John Strzlecki
Pastoral Assistant
John Strzelecki is the Pastoral Assistant and Lead Byzantine Chanter of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral as well as a Religion Instructor at A. Fantis School.
John graduated from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in 2017, having earned a Masters of Divinity. Following his seminary training, John moved to Thessaloniki, Greece where he studied for and received a Master of Theology from Aristotle University, writing his master’s thesis on the Divine Liturgy. While studying in Greece, he also earned a Diploma of Byzantine Music, a teaching certification recognizing advanced knowledge of byzantine music theory and practice.
Upon his return to the United States in early 2020, John worked as the Youth Director and Pastoral Assistant at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Fresno, California, where he developed and oversaw the church’s youth programs until joining the Saints Constantine and Helen community in Brooklyn. Outside of work, John enjoys golfing, visiting his family in St. Louis, Missouri, and trying new restaurants.
Maria Eleni Zollo
Music Director
Maria Eleni has served as the Music Director at Saints Constantine and Helen since 2013. Along with supporting the musical ministry at the cathedral, she maintains a studio of piano and voice students of all ages and is an active freelance performer in various disciplines. Some of her performance credits include performing in the back up choir for Andrea Boccelli at Madison Square Garden (2021/2022), serving as soprano soloist with the Apotheosis Opera and choir in the Faure Requiem at Carnegie Hall (2017) and singing the role of Lisette in Puccini’s La Rondine at the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet (2019). Maria Eleni holds a B.M from Mannes Conservatory in voice and an M.A from CUNY Hunter with concentrations in music theory and history. In her spare time, Maria Eleni enjoys sketch comedy, reading, jazz clubs and NYC’s many museums. She also loves to meet new people, so come on up to the choir loft and say hi!Makis Gatsias
Office Administrator
Effie Katsenis
Bookeeper