Father Nicholas Garklavs was born in Buffalo, NY on November 9th, 1982 and raised in East Meadow, Long Island, where his father, Archpriest Alexander Garklavs, was the pastor of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church for almost twenty years. In 2000, he enrolled in St. John's College in Annapolis, MD, where he met his wife, Matushka Charlene Garklavs. After graduating in 2004, together they attended St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, NY. In September, 2006, he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by his Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman. Mat. Charlene graduated with an M.A. in Theology in 2006, and Father Nick graduated with an M.Div. in 2007. Father Nick was attached to our very own St. Nicholas parish from 2007 to 2010. He was attached to St. Mary Magdalen Orthodox church in New York, NY, from 2010 until his ordination to the priesthood. On May 5th, 2014, their son, Quentin Thomas Garklavs, was born. Father Nick was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminenence, our ArchBishop Michael, January 29th, 2017. He began serving as rector of St. Nicholas in February 2017. On September 25th, 2017, their son Clement John Garklavs, was born.