With the Archpastoral blessing of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the following clergy assignments are joyfully announced by Archdiocesan District Chancellor Fr. Elias Villis:
Fr. Demetrios Kazakis has been appointed Proistamenos of the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Hempstead, New York, beginning June 16, 2025. A native of Syracuse, New York, Fr. Demetrios grew up at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church and earned an Associate’s Degree in Communications and Broadcasting from SUNY Oswego.
He continued his theological formation at Hellenic College Holy Cross, earning both his Bachelor’s in Religious Studies (2008) and Master of Divinity (2011).
He was ordained to the Diaconate in 2011 by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and to the Holy Priesthood in 2012 by His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane, both at Kimisis Theotokou in Brooklyn.
For over a decade, he has faithfully served as Proistamenos at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in West Babylon.
He is married to Presvytera Dianna (Doukas), and together they are blessed with three children: Andrew, Eleni, and Stephen.
Fr. Elias Pappas has been assigned as the new Proistamenos of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in West Babylon, after serving with distinction as Assistant Priest at the Cathedral of Saint Paul since December 2022.
Raised in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, Fr. Elias is the son of Fr. Christos and Presvytera Maria Pappas, and grew up at the Church of the Ascension in Fairview.
He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies with a minor in Classics and his Master of Divinity from Hellenic College Holy Cross.
He was ordained to the Diaconate on March 28, 2021, and to the Priesthood on January 8, 2022, both by Archbishop Elpidophoros.
He began his ministry at the Holy Cross Chapel in Brookline before being assigned to the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan.
He and his wife, Presvytera Despina, whom he met during their time at HCHC, are the proud parents of two sons: Christos Timotheos and Theodore.
Photo: Direct Archdiocesan District.
