June 20, 2021

Holy Pentecost
Promise &Time Fulfilled

- Fr. Paul Costopoulos -


Today we celebrate Holy Pentecost, a Major Feast in the Orthodox Church. Christian Pentecost has its roots in an Old Testament feast known as the Feast of Weeks, where the faithful offered to God the first fruits of their harvest. Father Paul shares with us that Holy Pentecost is a fulfillment of a promise and time. The promise was from Jesus to His disciples that he would abide with them forever and pray to His Father who would give them an Advocate or Spirit of Truth. The fulfillment of time occurred on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples in the upper room. The prophet Joel spoke about this outpouring of the Holy Spirit 500 years prior to its occurrence. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit transformed the disciples, who began witnessing to the great works of Jesus. Each of us, as Orthodox Christians, receives a personal Pentecost at Baptism and Chrismation. As we celebrate this Feast through supplication, thanksgiving and prayer, offered at the Divine Liturgy and Kneeling Vespers, we will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be the people God wants us to be and to do what God wants us to do.



Father Paul Costopoulos was born in and grew up in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He is one of 6 siblings. A graduate of Gettysburg College (1967) and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox

307 19th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35233 | Fr. Gregory Edwards, Dean | 205.716.3080

Photography Credits: Beth Hontzas - Music: Presbytera Katerina Makiej





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Father Paul Costopoulos was born in and grew up in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He is one of 6 siblings. A graduate of Gettysburg College (1967) and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Theological School (1970), Father Paul has served as a priest of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for over 41 years. He has served as Dean of our Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Birmingham, AL since September, 1996. He also served Greek Orthodox parishes in Huntsville, AL (1975-1978), Jacksonville, FL (1978-1991), and Denver, CO (1991-1996). In addition to his work as a Parish Priest, Father Paul has served and continues to serve our Church in various capacities both at the Archdiocesan and Metropolis levels. He worked 2 years at the Archdiocese in New York as Director of the Campus Commission, served for a number of years on the Archdiocesan Council and Metropolis Councils of Denver and Atlanta, for 13 years served as a member and former President of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, and in 1987 led a mission team of 25 to Kenya to build a church. Since 1999, he has served as Vicar of the Central Conference of our Metropolis. Father Paul is married to the former Penny Clemson, also from Carlisle, Pennsylvania. They have 2 daughters (Nina and Niki) and 6 grandchildren, all of whom live in Birmingham, AL. Father loves to read, travel, workout, spend time with the family, and watch his grandkids play soccer.