Director of Archdiocesan Ionian Village Fired for Violent Treatment of Campers
Evagoras Constantinides, a Greek Orthodox priest who served for years as the director of the Ionian Village summer camp program of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has been relieved of his duties following the use of firecrackers to awaken campers.
According to an eyewitness, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution by what he called a “well-connected” Fr. Evagoras, the campers had slept beyond their wake up call and he was angry and tossed firecrackers into their sleeping quarters, startling the teen-aged boys.
According to the eyewitness, one camper who has autism and was in the cabin suffered an adverse reaction to the explosion of the firecrackers.
The eyewitness said that other boys in the cabin were also traumatized, while another suffered pain in his ears after the incident.
The autistic camper’s family, which is from New Jersey, is allegedly planning legal action, according to another source from the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey who spoke to the family.
Constantinides, who has been the director of the Ionian Village summer program of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for several years, also serves as the parish priest at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Brooklyn, New York.
He is also the registrar of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Although no official announcements have come from Ionian Village or the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, the official website of the Archdiocese has removed Constantinides as the Director Ionian Village and his name is no longer listed on the Ionian Village website for the 2019 season.
Constantinides was embedded with the past administrative leadership at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and had been “protected” by the now-resigned Archdiocese Chancellor Bishop Andonios, who is Constantinides’ godfather.
But with Andonios gone, no one is left to protect the priest who has often been seen violating priestly protocol.
Although he was relieved of his duties as director of the Ionian Village summer program that attracts hundreds of Greek Orthodox youth from throughout the United States, Constantinides remains the parish priest at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Brooklyn, as well as Registrar of the Archdiocese.
Anonymous
June 26, 2019 at 2:36 pm
I hope additional details about his treatment of IV’s staff of young adults comes out eventually so that the archdiocese can try to make sure that level of emotional abuse and manipulation can also be avoided going forward. Priests are powerful (especially well connected ones) and often not held accountable by our bishops.
In addition, let’s dive into the staff selection process which seems to correlate more to a staff member’s appearance than it does to their qualifications to take care of our children. Let’s also not forget the “recruitment” trips that involved flying certain preferred former staff around the country (to visit friends) rather than involving staff who already lived in that area or city and already knew many of the children the camp was trying to recruit… what a wasteful use of the archdiocese’s money at a time when that seems to be in short supply. This camp needs a leader with experience, not an overgrown child who plays favorites.
And before anyone gets angry about this comment being posted anonymously, let me just remind you that this priest had years and a powerful platform to prey on the weak, start rumors, and say all the nasty things he wanted to. My comment on the internet is child’s play in comparison.
Anonymous
June 29, 2019 at 9:55 pm
There is so much misinformation in this article that it is difficult to know where to start. Father Evagoras has been a tireless engine of this incredible ministry. I would encourage whoever at ‘greeknews’ that compiled this amalgamation of innuendo to contact the archdiocese and get the actual story. Do some actual reporting. This ‘article’ does no one any good…
Anonymous
July 3, 2019 at 6:11 pm
His name is still on the goarch site under ionian village as the director so get your facts straight. This is slander.
Anonymous
July 15, 2019 at 5:01 am
Thank you Greek News Network for finally exposing this priest!
Anonymous
July 16, 2019 at 4:17 am
Finally, here is a place for emotional abuse victims to safely speak up and not be silenced.
I am one of Fr. Evagoras’ victims, a recipient and an observer of his emotionally abusive bullying, harassment and cunning manipulation.
One of my good friends had to undergo many hours of therapy to deal with the emotional trauma and the intense anger over the emotional abuse.
Because Fr. Evagoras had not been removed, many of my friends quietly left the Greek Orthodox Church for other Christian denominations. While others, abandoned Christianity altogether.
Please do not be distracted by some of Fr. Evagoras’ accomplishments. He is a very hurtful man and a danger to the church and its vulnerable youth.