October 11, 2020

Power of The Word
Sunday Sermon

- Fr. Paul Costopoulos -


The proper interpretation of scripture comes through The Church and has salvific significance. There are many passages in the Bible that attest to the power of God’s word and how faith comes from hearing and that God’s word is a light in this world of darkness. Father Paul shares us that the power in God’s Word depends on our willingness to hear and respond to its message. Today on the 4th Sunday of Luke the Gospel lesson comes to us from Luke 8:5-15. In this pericope we hear the well-known Parable of the Sower. A sower, who represents Christ goes out to sow seed, which is His word and scatters seeds on four types of soils. Three of soils are unproductive while one is good and produces hundred-fold. The soil represents our hearts and willingness to hear and respond to God’s word. Our attentiveness to God’s word in the Epistle, Gospel, and Spirit filled hymns of The Church help us to cultivate a life lived in the Holy Spirit. If we hear and believe God’s word then we can live a Blessed life and actualize our salvation.



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.