May 01, 2022

Wounded Healers
Thomas Sunday

- Fr. Gregory Edwards Ph.D - Dean -


Today, on Thomas Sunday, the Gospel is taken from John 20:19-31. Jesus appears to His Apostles, giving them peace and showing them His hands and side. Thomas, who was not present, is told of Our Lords appearing. He replies that unless he sees the print of the nails in His hands and places his finger in the mark of the nails and places his hand in His side he will not believe. Father Gregory gives a different perspective of Thomas other than someone who doubts and has an intellectual need to verify Christ. Thomas is the Apostle who just days earlier exclaims to the others let us die with Him. Thomas should be seen not as one who needs proof and doubts but needs healing and comfort. Thomas loved having his heart shattered and wounded. His grief has kept him from being able to love again. Thomas is healed eight days later when he sees Jesus professing Him to be his Lord and God! Thomas' woundedness and healing give us hope that we can love, be wounded then healed through the Resurrection of Christ.



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

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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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.