“Greek Orthodox Christian Church - Birmingham, Alabama”

Photography Credits: Beth Hontzas - Music: Presbytera Katerina Makiej






Sunday Sermon

The New Temple
October 15, 2023

- Fr. Gregory Edwards, Ph.D -


Many Christians are wondering if we are living in the “end times”. Father Gregory reminds us of the miracle of Christ’s resurrection - the “end times” were inaugurated when Christ rose from the dead. Here he established the new temple, His body, which is also the church. We, the church, are the temple where Christ dwells. The Kingdom of God is already present here on earth. We experience this most acutely in the Divine Liturgy as the Kingdom of God breaks through and we experience a foretaste of what is to come. However, the Kingdom of God is not yet fully established as the Holy Spirit continues to gather all people to Himself. This is why Christ has not returned - we, the church, His body and the temple, still have work to do. Christ’s final commandment to His followers was to make disciples of all nations. He is waiting patiently to allow us to continue this work, throwing the seeds of the Gospel through good deeds and bringing all people to His body, the temple. Rather than focusing on the “end times”, may we apply ourselves to good deeds that we may be fruitful and continue to grow Christ’s church ahead of His second coming. Then will He firmly and permanently establish His Kingdom where peace and love will reign forever.

 



The Rev. Fr. Gregory Edwards, Ph.D., was raised in Virginia and eastern Pennsylvania, and became a member of the Orthodox Church while studying for his Bachelor's degree ...[more]
“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





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The Rev. Fr. Gregory Edwards, Ph.D., was raised in Virginia and eastern Pennsylvania, and became a member of the Orthodox Church while studying for his Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies at Brown University. After completing a Master's Degree in the New Testament and early Christianity at Florida State University, he conducted doctoral studies in Greece at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, graduating summa cum laude in 2012. Ordained in 2007, he served parishes in Thessaloniki and Volos for 9 years. He and his wife Presvytera Pelagia lived in Greece from 2006-2016, where their four children were born. He has served as Assistant Professor of Missiology at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary in New York since 2014. Before coming to Birmingham in March 2019, Fr. Gregory served St. George Greek Orthodox Church in New Port Richey, FL from 2016-2019.