 Fr. Paul was born in Chicago, IL in 1951 and ordained to the Holy Priesthood at the Pro-Cathedral of St. Michael, Hammond, IN on January 20, 2001 by His Eminence Archbishop Vsevolod of the UOCUSA. He was incardinated into the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in 2009, and in 2017 His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit bestowed the office of Economos on him. Fr. Paul is a Distinguished Military Graduate of The Virginia Military Institute (VMI). He served as a Regular Army Officer from 1972 through 1979, attaining the rank of Captain. He holds degrees from VMI (B.A. with Honors in English, 1973), University of Chicago (M.A. Humanities, 1979; doctoral studies in English, 1985-88), and Balamand University, St. John Damascene Institute of Theology (M.A., Applied Orthodox Theology, 2001). His special interest is in the relationship between theology and aesthetics.
Presbytera Nikki Nelson Martin, LCSW, is a senior clinician at Perspectives Counseling and Psychotherapy in Chicago. Their only child, William, is 32 years old, a classical pianist, and a magna cum laude graduate of Lawrence University. Fr. Paul has served as Chaplain at two BSA National Jamborees (2001 and 2005), and has served two OCMC short term missions: Calcutta, India (2006) and Tanzania, Africa (2007). Since 2006, he has been serving as Volunteer Chaplain to the Brotherhood of St. Moses the Black at Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, IN. His publications include "Poetry as Theology: An Orthodox Perspective" (Greek Orthodox Theological Review, Spring-Winter 2007 52:1-4, pp. 145-195) and "The Orthodox Church in West Bengal, India" (The Orthodox Word, No. 250; 2006). His hobbies include taking his dog Kenny for walks, fishing, and playing the piano. Fr. Paul writes daily and is now working on a book of reflections. |