THANKSGIVING
Fr. Peter Papanikolaou, ANNUNCIATION, Pensacola, FL

My beloved in the Lord:
There isn’t another ‘feast’ that is as American as the Thanksgiving Holiday. However, in Orthodoxy there is an ancient tradition of giving thanks. Hence, Thanksgiving Day is an opportunity to view this typical American holiday, from an Orthodox perspective.

To not observe the greater lesson of Thanksgiving, and just commemorate a historical event, is therefore only nostalgia. It becomes therefore, not an occasion that we call a holiday or more so, a Holy Day. A nostalgic commemoration is not sufficient. Nostalgic commemoration may be beneficial; however, it is not a guarantee of holiness. The holiday of Thanksgiving is truly a Holy Day.

Those pilgrims who came to America were conscious of the fact that the day was holy. They were not only rejoicing their historic landing as holy, but they contemplated deeper. Subsequently, they gave thanks together in a genuine union with one another and with Almighty God, for all the bountiful gifts with which they were blessed. This is the holiness of Thanksgiving; people gathered together in the presence of God to offer thanks. Individuals bound by common difficulties; individuals bound by common goals.

Orthodoxy, in this context, has the great opportunity to ‘dissect” the term Thanksgiving to illustrate its richness. In fact, Orthodoxy demonstrates the genuine definition of thanksgiving in the Divine Liturgy. It is in the Divine Liturgy, that thanksgiving is not only a commemoration, not only a day; it is a state in which the faithful are in. That state which is holy, is to stand together, to be together, as those pilgrims were, to give thanks. The apex of this thanksgiving comes forth from the faithful as they are offered eternal life from God.

Those pilgrims who gathered together to give thanks provided the legacy for the Thanksgiving Holiday. On this Thanksgiving the challenge is whether or not American families have preserved this beautiful legacy of giving thanks to God for the bounties He has bestowed on their households. Orthodox families have preserved a proud legacy of giving thanks as they gather together at the Divine Liturgy. On this Thanksgiving Holiday, preserve this Orthodox legacy of giving thanks by praying together as a loving family offering up your personal thanks for all the good and profitable gifts which our Lord has bestowed upon you. Offer thanksgiving to Almighty God as you gather, with family and exemplify the tradition of our Holy Orthodox Faith.

Wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving filled with the abundant blessings and joy of Almighty God and the prayers of the Holy Theotokos, I humbly remain,
With paternal love and blessings,
Father Panagiotis