“Greek Orthodox Christian Church - Birmingham, Alabama”

Photography Credits: Beth Hontzas - Music: Presbytera Katerina Makiej






Sunday Sermon

Joy, Forbearance, & Peace
April 13, 2025

- Fr. Gregory Edwards, Ph.D -


In today’s sermon on Palm Sunday, Fr. Gregory focuses on the Epistle reading from Philippians 4. Within this passage are three things essential to our journey through Holy Week — and our journey through life: joy, forbearance, and peace through prayer.

Fr. Gregory references a book called The Happiness Hypothesis, written by Jonathan Haidt, demonstrating how the conclusions of his research dovetail with the principles found in Philippians 4.

Finally, echoing the words of St. Paul, Fr. Gregory encourages us to rejoice in positive thoughts, lean on our fellowship in the church, stand fast in the face of Christ’s trials and sorrows, pray and meditate on what is praiseworthy. Through these things, we can experience the peace of God which passes all understanding.



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.