March 22, 2020

No Vaccine for the Cross
Sunday Sermon

- Fr. Gregory Edwards Ph.D - Dean -


On the third Sunday of Lent the Orthodox Church wants us to contemplate the message of the Cross of Christ. We have reached the midpoint of our journey toward Pascha and the Cross both refreshes and reminds us that in life there is suffering. Father Gregory shares with us that no one is immune to earthly affliction and suffering, but if we choose to bear the crosses we have been given, the result is salvific in nature. By embracing our own suffering, we are empowered and take control of our lives. The three lessons learned are that God loves us and does everything for our good. By practicing gratitude, we are reminded that suffering will pass. And through self-examination and repentance we can begin to take up our cross and follow Jesus 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.