Father John Alexandrou, a native of Samos, Greece, lived there until 1955 when his family came to the United States and settled in Cleveland, OH. He was educated in the Cleveland Public School System. In September of 1960, he entered the Greek Orthodox Theological Seminary of Holy Cross, in Brookline, MA, and graduated from there in 1966, receiving a B.A. and Masters in Theology. He also earned a Masters in History from Youngstown State University.

Ordained a priest in 1969, he was assigned to serve as pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Fond Du Lac, WI.    While there he served as an officer of the Clergy Association and was active in community affairs.    He did graduate work at Wisconsin State University along with his parish duties. In 1971, Fr. John was transferred to Youngstown, OH, to serve as pastor of St. John's Church. In 1975, His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos, elevated him to the priestly rank of Sakellarios.

Father Alexandrou has served as president of the Greater Youngstown Ministerium, which includes clergy of all denominations of Mahoning County. He has also served as President of the Diocese Clergy Association of Pittsburgh, and President of the Eastern Orthodox Clergy Association of Mahoning County. He served on the board of the Mahoning Valley Association Council of Churches. Father John has served as a chaplain & spiritual advisor of the Eastern Orthodox Youth Association of Mahoning County. He is a member of the Interfaith Home Maintenance Service Board of the Council of Churches. He was a member of the Ecumenical Coaiition of the Mahoning Valley.

Father John Alexandrou is very active in Ecumenical Church and Community affairs and was honored by the Youngstown Area Clergy Association for his "Inspired Leadership" of the Association, which he served as president. Also, he was honored by the Youngstown Area United Appeal for his meritorious service rendered in the year 1976 - 1977. In 1976, Fr. John was awarded with a certificate of recognition for his outstanding services in the course of human justice and humanitarian needs for the people of Cyprus.

In 1978, he was selected as the "Clergyman of the Year" by the Eastern Orthodox Clergy Association of the Eastern Orthodox Men's Society. Fr. John has appeared many times on television and radio, being a spokesman for the Orthodox Church. Father John was elevated to the priestly rank of Economies (Steward) by His Grace Bishop Maximos of Pittsburgh in 1981 for his faithful and dedicated services to his Parish and Diocese.

In 1985, Fr. John assumed his pastoral duties at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Orange, New Jersey. Father John was appointed by His Excellency Metropolitan Silas to serve on the Ecumenical Commission of the Diocese of New Jersey. He was elected to serve on the Diocesan Council. He is also a member of the Diocese of New Spiritual Court. He was a member of the Archdiocesan Presbyter's Council, serving as its Treasurer. Metropolitan Silas appointed Fr. John to be the Coordinator of the Northern New Jersey Youth Commission.

In 1991, Ecumenical Patriarch Demetrios I along with Archbishop Iakovos elevated Father John to the Rank or office of Protopresbyter. (the highest office of a married priest). He is listed in Who is Who in Religion, the Community Leaders and Noteworthy Americans, the International Who's Who in Community Service and Personalities of the West and Midwest. Father John is an example of Christian dedication and devotion to his faith and church.

He and Presbytera Toula have three daughters: Angelike, Christena, and Demetra (all three are married). On December 1st, 1998, Fr. John was assigned to become the Dean of the Diocesan Cathedral of Saint John the Theologian, in Tenafly, New Jersey, by His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon of America.

Compiled by Rev. Fr. Apostolos P. Panos, December 2nd, 1998