January 10, 2021

Dissipating the Darkness
Sunday Sermon

- Fr. Paul Costopoulos -


Today on the Sunday after Theophany the Gospel reading comes to us from Matthew 4:12-17. The intimations of this Gospel are that there is a Resurrection and God exists. The worldwide pandemic in which we find ourselves has caused the loss of income, homes and sadly many of our own family members and friends, all of which, have left many of us in darkness and despair. In the midst of darkness and despair The Church reveals to us The Good News that there is hope, because God exists, and those who abide in His Commandments and believe in Him are promised a Comforter, the Holy Spirit Himself, who will see us through difficult times. The commencing of Jesus’ ministry after His Baptism shows us that He has come into the world as The Light of the world to dissipate the darkness that besets so many people. When life gets dark, as Orthodox Christians we should turn to God in repentance and keep His commandments, which will allow us to receive His Holy Spirit who will abide with us forever. If we nurture the flame of the Holy Spirit through Christian living, we will know peace and find light in the darkest of times.



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.