The Reverend Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr. after 32 years of service as an ordained Episcopal Priest, recently retired to Birmingham, Alabama. Russ and his wife, Laura have three adult children and two grandchildren.
After serving in various roles in parishes in Alexandria, Virginia, Sewanee, Tennessee, Birmingham, Alabama, Lafayette, Louisiana and Pensacola, Florida, Russ was called to St. Maritn’s in Houston. During his tenure, the church grew to over 10,000 baptized members, making it the largest Episcopal Church in North America. He retired from St. Martin’s after 17 years of service as their Rector, and 32 years of ministry as an ordained Episcopal Priest. In 2015, he was admitted as a member of the United States Priory for the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. On June 24, 2020, he was appointed Sub-Prelate of the Order, and in 2021, by appointment of the late Her Majesty, Elizabeth, Queen of England; he was elevated as to the office of Sub-Prelate (Chaplain) for the Priory.
In May 2023, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by Nashotah House Theological Seminary for his contributions and service to the mission the Christian Gospel, the Episcopal Church and the nation. In 2019, he was named Birmingham-Southern College’s “Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.” In 2012, he was awarded the Dean’s Cross from Virginia Theological Seminary, and in 2011, he received “Distinguished Alumnus of the Year” from Beeson Divinity School.
Dr. Levenson is an accomplished author and speaker. In 2022, Hachette Publishing released his book, “Witness to Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H.W. and Barbara Bush,” with a forward by Jeb Bush
His Books, are, “In God’s Grip: What Golf Can Teach Us About the Gospel,” with a forward by CBS Sports Commentator Jim Nantz, (Morehouse); four devotional books Preparing Room: An Advent Devotional; A Path To Wholeness, A Lenten Devotional; “Bits of Heaven; a Summer Devotional and “Finding Shelter: An Autumn Devotional, (All released by Morehouse/Church Publishing). In 2023, Virginia Seminary Press released his book “Go! A Vision for Priest and Pastors of the Future, which included a forward by the 103rd Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord George Carey. In 2022, Hachette Publishing released his book, “Witness to Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H.W. and Barbara Bush,” with a forward by Jeb Bush. He was honored to be invited to write the forward to the classic work of his life-long mentor, the late John Claypool’s Tracks of A Fellow Struggler.”
In October of 2025 his newest book, “Witness to Belief: Conversations on Faith and Meaning,” will be released. It is a collection of 12 personal interviews he conducted in 2023 and 2024 with people who live very much in the public eye but also rely deeply on their personal faith for their day to day living. The interviews include Denzel Washington, The Honorable Condi Rice, The Honorable James A. Baker, III., The Honorable Nikki Haley, Actors Sam Waterston and Gary Sinise, singer/songwriter Amy Grant, naturalist Jane Goodall and more.
In January of 2017, he officiated and preached at the funeral for his friend, and “the last man on the moon,” Captain Gene Cernan. In, 2018, Dr. Levenson officiated and preached at the funeral at St. Martin’s for the late First Lady of the United States, Barbara Pierce Bush. Later, in 2018, he co-officiated and preached at the State Funeral for our 41st President, The Honorable George H.W. Bush, at both Washington National Cathedral and the Houston-based memorial service held at St. Martin’s.
He is a frequent guest on many network news programs, providing Christian insight and commentary on various issues facing American culture and faith, appearing on CNN, FOX, CBS, MSNBC, CBS, NPR and other local news affiliates.
In his retirement years, he continues to speak, write, grow peppers, make and bottle hot sauce and hot spice, make candles, and soap, and spend as much time with friends and family as he can.
