Thanksgiving Day

Bishop Mitrophan (Znosko-Borovsky)

What is "thanksgiving?" Keeping in mind that all believing Americans who recognize God as the Creator and Providential One on this day turn to Him in songs of praise, Thanksgiving Day has a religious nature.

And for us Orthodox Christians, thanksgiving is a testament to God's presence in the life of the world and each person.

Thanksgiving is a profound religious response from our hearts, which with reverential joy and fear testify that the Lord takes part in our personal lives; he takes part with His greatness, His glory and love.

Thanksgiving is our response to God's gifts; it is the recognition of God's mercy and generosity as expressed in our lives.

And finally, thanksgiving, the feeling of gratitude, is the basis of the constant renewal of our lives in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

"Give thanks for everything; pray unceasingly," the great Apostle Paul teaches us.

A feeling of gratitude to God is the most basic, the primary feeling with which each child should be raised to become a spiritually healthy person inclined toward and capable of spiritual growth.

With these feelings and with these wishes we turn to the Most High with songs of praise. Amen.