Fr. Elias Villis, Director

 

Fr. Elias was born and raised in the great city of Chicago. There he attended Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Justice, Illinois where he made his decision to enter the seminary and seek the priesthood. Entering the seminary in January, 1990, he graduated Hellenic College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies in May, 1994. Fr. Elias married Melanie Triantafilou on July 2, 1995 and graduated from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology with a Master's of Divinity Degree in May, 1997. On February 24, 1996, he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate at Holy Cross Church, Justice, Illinois by His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos. Upon completing his studies in December 1996, Fr. Elias and his wife lived in Greece for 4 months studying the Greek Language. After returning to America, he was assigned to serve Archbishop Spyridon as Archdeacon. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on the Great Feast of Pentecost on May 31, 1999 and was assigned as Proistamenos to the Greek Orthodox Church of Our Saviour on July 1, 1999. In January 2005, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios appointed Fr. Elias Director for Camp Saint Paul. He and Presvytera Melanie currently live in Armonk, New York and have 4 children - Anastacia, Nicholas, George and Artemios.

Drew Baker, Program Director

 

Drew Baker proudly hails from Richmond, Virginia where he teaches World History and Psychology.  He has served as a counselor at the Ionian Village in Greece as well as the St. Nicholas Ranch in California.  For two years he has worked as the Program Coordinator at Ionian Village. This will be his second year serving as the Program Director at Camp Saint Paul.  He loves the Atlanta Braves, the Virginia Tech Hokies, his wife's cooking and playing his Nintendo 64-- which he has kept since high school.

Nikolas Delaveris, Boys Director


Nikolas Delaveris is currently a First Year Seminarian at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. Prior to this he attended Michigan State University where received his undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies. Before attending arriving at seminary, Nikolas spent three years buskering his way through the greatest city in the world, New York City. He has been a camp counselor for the past eight years and is very excited to administer as Boys Director for Camp Saint Paul. In his free time, Nikolas delights in rockin' out on the upright bass, cooking up a storm for his family, and spending time with his lovely fiance.

Maria Giannopoulos, Girls Director


Maria Giannopoulos is a high school teacher from Manhasset, New York.  By day, she teaches Latin at Bayside High School, where she is also the director of the International and Cultural Relations program and the adviser of the Greek Club and Latin Club.  By night, she is a GOYA adviser at her home parish, the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Paul.  For the past two summers, Maria has served as a counselor at Ionian Village and Camp Saint Paul, and is thrilled to return to camp this summer as your Girls’ Director!  When Maria is not teaching or working with youth, she enjoys reading, dancing, being outdoors, and spending time with her awesome family and friends.  She can’t wait to see you all at camp this summer!!! 

Cali Pantazis, Activities Director
 

Cali Pantazis is extremely excited to be serving Camp Saint Paul this summer as the Activities Director. This will be her fourth summer at Camp Saint Paul and with each summer her love for camp grows. She is originally from Douglaston, New York and is a member of the Saint Nicholas Parish in Flushing. Cali is also currently attending New York University and is studying Mathematics Education at Steinhardt the School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. At NYU she is the president of the Hellenic Heritage Association and a Residence Assistant at one of the Residence Halls. Cali is extremely enthusiastic about camp this summer and looks forward to meeting all of the campers and making sure they have a wonderful experience with each activity they participate in!

 

Kathy Fridas, Diakonia Director

Kathy is a student at NYU studying International Relations/Politics and Spanish. Her love for other languages never diminished her Greek pride as she counts down the days she can visit her Yiayia every summer. As a counselor for two years at Camp Saint Paul she is thrilled to work as Diakonia Director in assisting the campers to develop an appreciation in serving and assisting others. She has also served as a Pre-K Sunday School teacher at her parish of St. Nicholas Flushing NY for the past 5 years. Kathy enjoys reading, all things Greek, hiking, pretending she can buy every puppy her eyes see and as her photo suggests, anything Disney.

Anastasia Nitis, Greek Culture Appreciation Director

 

Anastasia Nitis is a student in the Honors Program at Iona College, and is studying Mathematics and Political Science. She is Treasurer of the Math Society and Captain of the Mock Trial Team. Anastasia is the Greek Dance Director and Choreographer for the Korais Society in Flushing, NY. She is the eldest of five siblings, and loves spending time with her baby sister. Anastasia has been involved with Camp Saint Paul for six years, as both a camper and staff member. This will be her second year serving as the Greek Culture Activities Director. She is looking forward to working with the campers and introducing them to Greek music, dance, history, and culture.