God's Great Love | Holy Trinity + Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral

“Greek Orthodox Christian Church - Birmingham, Alabama”

Photography Credits: Beth Hontzas - Music: Presbytera Katerina Makiej

- Fr. Paul Costopoulos -

Judgment and salvation are the two themes presented in today’s Gospel reading. Father Paul poses the question: What must we do to receive a favorable judgment and attain salvation? As Christians, we believe there is a heaven and a hell, and that God exists. Not only do we believe God exists, but we believe Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. This belief asks that each believer possess a willingness to live for Christ, which is our ultimate meaning and purpose in life. Belief is one of three elements Father Paul tells us are essential for inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven, which is synonymous with salvation and eternal life. The other two essential elements are the grace of God, a free gift given to mankind through Christ’s death on the Holy Cross, and love. We must have love for God and love for our neighbor. Together, these three things will help us on our journey toward the Kingdom of Heaven, where God dwells and despair and unhappiness have no home. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,” reads today’s Gospel. May we remember God’s great love for mankind, His grace, and respond with belief and love in hopes of attaining eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.

“Greek Orthodox Christian Church - Birmingham, Alabama”

Photography Credits: Beth Hontzas - Music: Presbytera Katerina Makiej

Sunday Morning Divine Liturgy - 9:30

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

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 served as Dean of our Holy Trinity- Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral from September 1996 through February 2019, when he retired from the full time priesthood. 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.