Reverend Father
Nicholas Long

Education: 

• Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Christian Ministry from the Austin Graduate School of Theology, Austin, TX, 2008

• Master of Arts in Applied Orthodox Theology from the University of Balamand, 2016

• Antiochian House of Studies PhD program (ABD - all but dissertation completed)

 

Fr. Nicholas and his wife Kh. Nina grew up outside of the Orthodox Church, but because of questions on faith and spiritual life, they were searching for something more. The texts they encountered in both academic and pastoral studies from Church Fathers and contemporary Orthodox writers seemed to be answering those long-standing questions. Finally, Fr. Nicholas and Kh. Nina decided to put the books down and visit an Orthodox Church. They first attended a Presanctified Liturgy on a Holy Monday at St. Elias, and have been there ever since! They have two sons, Jackson George and Calum Cosmas, and one dog, a basset hound named Scout. They don’t stop there though – the Long family also raises various farm animals as well, ranging from chickens to pigs to goats to sheep.

 

Getting to know Fr. Nicholas:

• A favorite book: The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. “The way that Dostoevsky presents the depth of faith in such a nuanced way while answering not only burning questions of his own day and age, but perennial questions as well, has always captivated me.”

• A favorite Bible verse: Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."