July 05, 2020

Fruits of Obedience
Sunday Sermon

- Fr. Gregory Edwards Ph.D - Dean -


In today's Gospel reading taken from Matthew 8:5-13 Jesus marvels at the faith of a Roman centurion. Father Gregory shares with us how this centurion's faith is put on display for all to see, through obedience and acknowledgement of Jesus' authority. This Roman soldier is a man under authority as well as responsible for those who are under his authority, included the servant for whom he has besought Jesus. The centurion recognizes Jesus as the One who has authority over all things. He becomes the model for us as Orthodox Christians in approaching Christ and locating ourselves correctly under Christ’s authority. The fruits of our obedience to Christ will be seen in the virtues of humility and love. In our obedience to Christ’s commandments and acknowledgment of His authority over us we gain humility, which produces in us a real love for others. This love for others including those for whom we are responsible allows us to bring them before Christ in prayer making them the beneficiary of His Blessings.



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.