Father Niko was born in Seattle, Washington in 1981, and was baptized at the Church of the Annunciation in Amaliada, Greece on August 15, 1982. After graduating from the University of Washington in 2004 with a Bachelor's degree in History, he enrolled at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, having felt a calling from the Lord to become a priest. He finished his studies in 2008, graduating with a Master of Divinity.
Upon completing his studies, he served as the Youth Director of the Metropolis of San Francisco for three years (2008-2011) while also serving at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in San Francisco. He was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on December 14, 2008, at his home parish of the Assumption in Seattle, Washington, and was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on August 15, 2011 at the Annunciation Cathedral, after which he began serving at the Cathedral as the full-time associate pastor.
Upon graduating from theological school, Father Niko married the love of his life, Stella Zahariudakis on August 16, 2008, at Presvytera Stella’s home parish of the Nativity of Christ Church in Novato, California. God has blessed Father Niko and Presvytera Stella with two boys, Christos and Dimitri.
Deacon Justin was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos on Sunday, April 18, 2021. He is a 2020 graduate of Deaconate program at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. Deacon Justin is currently the Second Vice President of the Board of Directors for Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center. He also assists the Metropolis with various legal matters and is a key member of the Metropolis COVID-19 Parish Support Team.
Deacon Justin graduated from the University of San Francisco School of Law, and is a partner in a law firm in Oakland, CA. In addition, he earned a post-graduate Certificate from the Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies in Cambridge, UK and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is currently studying toward a Master of Theology from the University of Balamand.
God has richly blessed Deacon Justin and his wife, Diakonissa Annemarie with four amazing (and devout) children: Judi (Markella), Joseph, Gregory, and Natalia.