The First Elder, Fr. Nikolaos Alexandris, was born and raised in Athens. He is a graduate of the Theological Seminary with a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Psychology from the Canadian Universities of Ottawa and St. Paul. He also holds a Degree in Byzantine Music from the Romanos Melodos Conservatory.
He served as Priest of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Ottawa and St. Nicholas, Toronto.
He has taught Pastoral Psychology at the Toronto Patriarchal Theological Academy, and has held senior positions in the Holy Archdiocese of Canada, including Director of Social Services (Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Program), Director of Cultural Programs, and Government Departments. He also served as Special Adviser on Hellenes Abroad at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For seventeen consecutive years he was the Director of the TV show "Personalities" Antenna Satellite and Mega Cosmos in America and Canada.
Awarded for the 200th anniversary of the City of Toronto-Scarborough by the City of Toronto, also awarded by the Governor General of Canada with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Judilee Medal Award in the Canadian Parliament.
