December 26, 2021

New Exodus, a New People
Sunday Sermon

- Fr. Gregory Edwards Ph.D - Dean -


Today, on the Sunday after the Nativity, the Gospel comes to us from Matthew 2:13-23. The second chapter of Matthew corresponds to the Old Testament book of Exodus. This pericope begins with the wise men departing after worshipping the Christ child. The wise men traveled from the East in faith, like Abraham and Joseph the betrothed. Father Gregory shares with us that faith has to have a follow-through. The wise men, attuned to the signs of the times, by faith followed a star to worship Jesus. They were compelled by a conviction and led by faith showing us the beginning of a new movement, where God calls a new people to Himself. Orthodox Christians should take the example of the Magi by following the signs, hearing God, and responding in faith with substance.



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.