Category: Pastoral Letters

“O what an hour and fearful day shall that be, when the Judge shall sit upon His fearsome throne! Books will be opened, deeds will be checked, and the hidden works of darkness will be made public. Angels speed about, gathering all the nations. Come, hearken, kings and rulers, slaves and freemen, sinners and righteous, rich men and paupers, He is coming who is about to judge the whole world; and who shall bear His countenance, when angels are at hand to accuse your acts, your thoughts, your desires, be they of day or night? O what an hour that shall be! But before the end arrives, O soul, make haste to cry, “O God, convert me,
save me as You alone are compassionate.” – Matins Hymn for the Sunday of Judgement

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings this late evening from New Braunfels, Texas! Nestled between San Antonio and Austin, this is the site of our 2018 Metropolis of Denver Clergy Pre-Lenten Retreat. For the past couple of days, we have enjoyed each others’ company, taken part in fruitful discussions, listened to the guidance and wisdom of His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah and grown deeper in our spiritual lives as we begin the challenges/blessings of the Lenten Season. These days have been rich and wonderful.

This afternoon, His Eminence asked me “So tell me about the Oratorical Festival you’re hosting. Are you ready? What are we going to do? Are you doing a good job?” “Yes, Your Eminence, we’re trying very hard to create a wonderful experience for the young people of our Metropolis,” I tell him. “We’ll see. When’s your local, parish Festival,” he asks. I tell him that it’s this Sunday and he quips back “So you’re judging kids on Judgement Sunday.” “Not the children,” I tell him, “only their speeches.” “Ahh, bravo.”

This was not planned intentionally, of course. There was no specific plan to celebrate our local St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival on the Sunday of Judgement; that is the third week of the Triodion. It just worked out that way. But what a blessing and a teaching moment.

Consider the lesson of this coming Sunday, as illustrated in St. Matthew’s Gospel; Just as the shepherd separates the goats from the sheep, so will Christ, upon His act of judgment, separate the just from the unjust. Sheep on His right, and the goats on His left. Cute, fluffy, obedient, docile sheep represent the faithful and the elect. Scraggly, undisciplined, impetuous and temperamental goats represent the unholy and the condemned. Fair enough. That’s pretty direct and simple imagery to comprehend.

Scripture reveals to us that our actions, intentions, patterns and priorities will contribute to either our salvation or our damnation. Going through life, we will make choices and ultimately, be held accountable for these same choices. And just as our young people, who will put fourth the effort of researching a topic, writing a speech and delivering their work will be subject to the judgement of others, we shall also be under judgement when our Lord returns to gather His own.

This is a very vulnerable position to find ourselves; kids who opt to participate in the Festival, do it by choice. However, we who had no choice to be born, live the lives we were given, and with no say in the matter, are forced to walk the path of existence. Our kids will be judged on the content and delivery of their speeches. Unto salvation, we will be judged by the content and delivery of our lives. As the above-referenced hymn suggests, all of humanity will be subject to God’s judgement. We will all walk through the process of examination, and the just rewards of our actions, thoughts, desires and intentions. Are we prepared to meet our Maker? Have we evaluated the lives we’ve lead? Is there work to be done and improvements to be made? Will we be given the time and opportunities to execute such measures and enact the necessary changes? Am I sheep? Am I a goat?!?

Let us be inspired by, and reminded of the themes of this Sunday – the Sunday of Judgment, through the motivation of our Oratorical Festival participants. They are willingly subjecting themselves to judgement. They are allowing their thoughts, words and abilities to be sized up. measured and quantified. They are willing to receive critical feedback and grow from critical thoughts, directed towards their efforts. The stand there bravely and faithfully. Can we say the same for our souls? Can we submit ourselves to God in order that He judge us, according to His mercy?

Really, you know, we don’t have a choice in the matter.

Sow our best option is to be prepared, vigilant, humble, joyful, patient, kind, and ever-faithful. The children of our Oratorical Festival are competing for placements and the opportunity to advance to higher levels of competition (such as the Metropolis Oratorical Festival which, of course, St. Anna’s is hosting in March). In life, we are not competing, as much as we are striving. There are no placements, trophies or accolades. Only eternal life or eternal damnation.

This Sunday is the Sunday of Judgement. Our every action will be contemplated and our every sin will be measured. Let us pray for one another, that we may endure the process and celebrate the outcome. Together, as a family of sheep.

With Much Love in XC,
Fr. Anthony

“Lady full of grace, rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, for Christ our God, the Sun of righteousness has risen from you and He illumined those in darkness. And you, righteous Elder, be glad in heart, receiving in your embraces the One who liberates our souls and bestows on us the Resurrection” – Hymn of The Presentation of Christ

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today we celebrate Christ’s Presentation into the Temple. This event is one of the Twelve Feasts of our Lord. On this day, 40 days following His birth, He is brought into the Temple as the Law prescribes. He is offered unto God. Of course, He IS God.

By being held in the arms of Symeon, His humanity is once again affirmed, while His Divinity is proclaimed as Symeon offers up one of the most beautiful prayers ever spoken:

“Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace. According to Your Word. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all people. A Light for the revelation of the Gentiles, and glory to your People, Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)

With this simple prayer, Jesus Christ is affirmed as the Salvation of the world. He is lifted up as the Author of that salvation. He is the revealer of salvation to the Gentile world. He is the glory; the Messiah, sent to deliver the Jews from death and grant His children eternal life.

Today’s Feast is but another example of Christ submitting to the Law, in order that we may follow His precious lead. I pray that today brings countless blessings upon those who love and fear Him.

With Love in Christ,
Fr. Anthony

Dearly Beloved in the Lord,

Well, I did it. The time for action came, and I did it. I responded to the call. You’ll be happy with the results.

I ordered the palms for Palm Sunday.

Indeed. I asked that a check be prepared to pay (in advance) for our palms. Nick graciously and immediately obliged. I put the check in the handy little order form that becomes a mailing envelope and I sent it off. Our order has probably arrived in Alamo, Texas by now. Boom, done.

Please know, that this event is more than a task that is checked off of my office “to do” list. The symbolism is rich and significant.

This Sunday, we will read the Gospel Story of Zacchaeus. The little man who climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus. This Sunday Reading is a turning point in the church calendar.

Much like the ordering of Palm Sunday palms, it signals that something important is around the bend. It heralds the preparations that must be made ready in anticipation of life changing events.

These preparations signal the commencement of the pre-Lenten season. These weeks will give way to the Great Fast. Those weeks will fold into the Saturday of Lazarus and Palm Sunday. Then we will take the steps of Holy Week.

We will anticipate the Resurrection of our Lord.

Then, we will celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord.

It all starts with the Reading of Zacchaeus. And before that, the ordering of palms. These events call to mind:

that we will soon be making spiritual decisions and making life-altering choices as the Fast approaches,

that we will explore the challenges of ascetic struggle,

that we will submit ourselves to greater levels of discipline and self control,

that prayer will be increased,

that generosity will be intensified,

that Christ will become, once again, the center,

that Christ might remain, once and for all, the center.

Palms are ordered; the first step, each year, in preparing for Great Lent, Holy Week and Pascha.

The church will be ready.

Our hearts must be, as well.

With Love in Christ,
Fr. Anthony

“And not many days after, it says, ‘the younger son gather all together, and took his journey into a far country’ (Luke 15:13). Why did the Prodigal Son not set off at once instead of a few days after? The evil prompter, the devil, does not simultaneously suggest to us that we should do what we like and that we should sin. Instead he cunningly beguiles us little by little, whispering, ‘Even if you live independently without going to God’s Church or listening to the Church teacher, you will still be able to see for yourself what your duty is and not depart from what is good.’” – St. Gregory Palamas

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We’ve often heard the Parable of the Prodigal Son. In fact, in not so many weeks, we will hear it in the Church as we make preparations for the lessons of Great Lent. However, St. Gregory Palamas, in his above-sited quote, identifies a certain detail that admittedly, I’ve never noticed before. In Luke’s Gospel, we read, “The younger son said to the Father, ‘Father, give me my share to the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all he had, set out for a distant country and there squandered his wealth with wild living.”

Not many days after. In other words, in what was probably an awkward time in their family, the kid stuck around. Having surprisingly received his request (more like a demand) he now took the time to plot, scheme and plan.

St. Gregory makes the point that making the decision to sin, and executing that sin are two different actions. They rarely happen simultaneously. Typically, the decision is made, then acting on that decision will lag behind. Of course, the length of time lag is always different for every circumstance and every person. But why is this important?

St. Gregory is speaking specifically to our Youth – for he uses the Prodigal Son as his example. Actually, he is addressing those of us who are responsible for raising our children in the Faith, in the ways of the Gospel and in the Sacramental, Holy Traditions of the Church. We are challenged to teach our kids that the first action; that is deciding to sin, will happen always and for the rest of their lives. Our task is teach them that the second decision does not always have to be made.

The Prodigal Son, remained in the protective and loving environment of his Father’s House for at least a couple of days. Perhaps he wrestled with his decision. A modicum of spiritual warfare may have raged within his heart and soul. Perhaps if he recognized the goodness and the longsuffering generosity of his Father, he might not have set out on his path to destruction. But he was compelled to leave. The stronghold of the demons were too strong.

My Beloved, the need for Youth Ministry and keeping our children in the Fold of the Faith is critical. I’ve reminded you many times, that sports alone, will not place your children in the Kingdom. Acting classes, dance teams, lacrosse and the continuing list of our countless activities do not lead unto salvation if the weightier matters of life are neglected . Even at our little St. Anna parish, we offer the same opportunities to bring our children together as much larger communities. We offer more Youth Ministry programs than quite a few large parishes. So…

Please be mindful of them and bring your children. JOY, GOYA, Sunday School, Family Nights, Retreats, Summer Camps, even Folk Dance are programs that enrich our children’s relationships with each other and with the Lord. It needs to start early. Later this month, JOY will meet then GOYA will join them in a service project to help the homeless youth of our city. Please, bring your kids.

This weekend, the long weekend of Martin Luther King Day, there will be over 7,000 people gathered in the name of Youth Ministry in the Greek Orthodox Metropolis’ of Denver and San Francisco. Our annual GOYA Basketball Tournament will be in Dallas, while the west coast will come together with over 5,000 people to participate in FDF, their annual Folk Dance Festival. These kids will play games and perform. They will dance, laugh, hang out and build relationships. But it does not end there:

They will attend spiritual workshops,
They will pray for one another and others will pray for them.
They will be in the presence of their respective hierarchs.
They will attend divine services and participate in the Divine Liturgy in large, hotel ballrooms, surrounded by their peers.

Thousands of dollars will be spent for the purpose of bring our children together in His Name.

Please support your children in their quest for salvation and allow them to know the Lord. Let’s participate in the activities of the local parish, and support the programs in the larger settings. It starts with the adults acting on behalf of their children, grandchildren and godchildren. I, as always, look forward to serving the spiritual needs of your children; together with our dedicated and gifted group of teachers and youth workers.

Someday, our own children will depart from our homes, much like the Prodigal. Where will they go? Who will they be? How did we prepare them?

With Much Love in Christ,
Fr. Anthony

“O Baptist John, who recognized me as the Lamb when you were still in the womb: serve me now in the river, and with Angels minister. Reach out with your hand and touch my immaculate head. And when you see the mountains trembling and the Jordan turning back, cry out with them, “O God incarnate of the Virgin for our salvation, glory to You, O Lord.” – Doxastikon Hymn of the Forefeast of Theophany

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On Friday morning, we will gather as an Orthodox Christian Family to celebrate the Forefeast of Theophany. Matins and Royal Hours are at 9:30 am, and continued with the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil and the Lesser Blessing of the Waters at 6:00 pm. Saturday is Epiphany; the feast of Revelation, or specifically, Theophany – God’s Revelation to the world. I took the time last week to discuss the significance of these days and once again, I invite you to participate to the fullest degree possible.

Tonight I want to bring to your attention something that is also important. Not in the same way as participating in the Divine Services of the Church. But, nevertheless, a way of participating in the life of the Church. Here is a

Spoiler Alert: Fr. Anthony is now going to talk about Money, Time Commitment, Overall Participation. Of course, this does not mean that you tune out and move on, at least I pray that you don’t. This is the kind of spoiler alert that calls your attention, captures your sense of responsibility and as did the Baptist, as expressed in the above-sited hymn; Serve Him Now and with Angels, Minister.

In this week’s Sunday Bulletin, we have begun to publish the activities of 2018 Stewardship. So far, about half of the parish has turned in their Pledge Cards. For many Greek Orthodox parishes in our Archdiocese, that would be a remarkable number. But for St. Anna’s, we can and should do better than this. Last year I noticed that there were fewer people who turned in Pledge Cards, though remained committed and active parishioners of St. Anna’s. Pledge Cards are only one way to measure the participation of the Faithful in a parish. But they are an important indicator.

A Pledged Steward emphatically calls St. Anna’s their spiritual home.
A Pledged Steward has taken the time to pray about their acts of Christian Stewardship.
A Pledged Steward gives the Parish Council the tools to make sound/responsible financial decisions without having to guess what the parish can support.
A Pledged Steward recognizes that their Time, Talent and Treasure is directly reflective of their relationship with God.
A Pledged Steward identifies the areas in which they would love to serve as volunteers, leaders and co-ministers.

When I was first assigned to St. Anna’s (The Greek Orthodox Mission Parish of Utah, at the time), I was told that “Stewardship in this parish is easy. People are eager to give and willing to sign their pledges early.” Not that this has changed much, but I take no one for granted, and believe that if Stewardship is “easy,” then its not Stewardship. Again:

If Stewardship is easy, then its not Stewardship.

If a Church takes the easy path to Stewardship, without engaging, challenging or educating the Faithful, then it’s not proper Stewardship. Inversely, if an individual or family views Stewardship as an obligatory action; detached from prayerful contemplation, a sacrificial spirit, and a deep appreciation for God’s abundant gifts, then the household is responding to a lowly fundraising effort, not to Stewardship.

Stewardship is offered, not simply given. There is a difference.
Stewardship is received, not collected. There is a big difference.
Stewardship is the way we serve Him. John the Baptist served Him in the River. We serve Him in our hearts, through our priorities, with our zeal and by His command.

To begin our 2018 Campaign, we distributed Pledge Cards after Sunday Divine Liturgies, mailed them to your homes (if you didn’t pick up your packet), and have them available in the narthex. Here is your next opportunity to receive your 2018 Pledge Card. And hey, let’s be honest for a moment about a couple realities:

Last year, we began an Capital Campaign in earnest, in order that we can begin to plan for our future. If we look at Stewardship in an improper light, that can detract from our 2018 enthusiasm. And remember, that is also an ongoing effort. We haven’t packed moving boxes yet! And likely won’t for quite some time.

Our parish is now almost four years old. Yes, we are still new, but is the “newness” fading? Of course it is! We can’t remain “new” forever! You don’t stunt the growth of your children and capture time in a bottle – you let them grow, you embrace change, you evolve and you live in the now. This is all natural and consistent with human nature. But what should never fade: commitment, enthusiasm, purpose, glorification of God, support for our mission, the quest for spiritual maturity, the support of our church.

All that said, my dearly Beloved in the Lord, please; if you have yet to send in your 2018 Pledge Card, please do so as soon as you’ve taken the time to pray over the concept, responsibilities and opportunities that avail when we give back to God the first fruits of what He has already given. Let’s stay the course and continue the good fight. Come to services, participate in classes and ministries, volunteer as helpers, lead, guide and inspire future generations of Greek Orthodox Christians in the Salt Lake Valley and surrounding areas.

Let’s be clear and honest: the need to support our growing parish will only increase with time. It will never get any easier. But that is good news. That’s what we signed up for when we dared to dream, answered the call and set in motion, that which would become our dear St. Anna parish.

He called the Baptist to serve Him. He calls us, as well. And serving Him is the greatest joy that can ever be imagined.

With Much Love in Christ,
Fr. Anthony

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christ is Born!
Glorify Him!

I fervently pray that the joy and warmth of the Nativity filled your homes and your hearts with Christ’s love. He has entered into our world and our human condition in order that we may enter into His Kingdom and eternal life. God and man are indiscernibly intertwined from above and mutually existent from below. We are one, as He is Three. The lines are now blurred between the Creator and the created in that the Creator, Himself has taken on flesh and dwells among us. God is great and human kind is redeemed. Christmas stories of sugar plumbs and elves and blizzards are mere ornaments on the Tree of Truth: Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, crucified for our salvation, resurrected from the tomb, coming again to judge the living and the dead. Merry Christmas!

Now, but a few days past the celebration of the Nativity, we fast-forward our doctrinal attention, some thirty years after His mysterious Birth. Next week, we celebrate His Baptism. His Epiphany. Our Theophany; when the Trinitarian God is experienced and witnessed in all glory. When Christ, now a grown man, steps into the waters of the Jordan, all material reality is transformed and enlightened. In His birth, He became One with man. In His Baptism, He becomes One with creation. Even the Waters recognized Him, as the flow of the Jordan River reversed its flow in the presense of Jesus.

God, in His mercy, and the Church, in Her wisdom, grants us the sustaining opportunity to participate in the miraculous powers of Theophany. The Blessing of the Waters services in the Orthodox Church are the continuing reality of God’s revelation of physical transformation through enlightenment, sacredness and holiness. As we participate in these services, and have our homes blessed with the Waters of Sanctification; the Waters of Christ’s holy Baptism, we participate in the perpetual regeneration of transfigured life.

Through the Baptism of Christ, the Trinity is reveled to us.
Through the Baptism of Christ, darkness is replaced by luminous guides.
Through the Baptism of Christ, the environment becomes sacred and connected to our very salvation.
Through the Baptism of Christ, He reveals the way in which we become cleansed, purified and born of the Spirit.
Through the Baptism of Christ, water sustains the eternal soul, not only the temporal flesh.
Through the Baptism of Christ, we receive countless blessings of healing, wellness and sanctification.

Christmas has passed. The anticipation of the New Year is upon us, as we celebrate the Circumcision of our Lord on January 1st. Next Saturday, January 6th is Holy Theophany and the Great Blessing of the Waters. There are no prayers, authored from the collective heart of Orthodox Christianity, more powerfully written than those of Holy Theophany. Please review the schedule of services that anticipate and celebrated this sacred Feast. Holy Theophany is a gift. A gift from above. A gift to be treasured. A gift that illumines. A gift that sustains.

With Much Love in Christ,
Fr. Anthony

I look forward to seeing everyone for our Family Night Pre New Year’s Eve Party, this evening, Friday, December 29th at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Fun for everyone! The Ball will drop at 10:00 pm (midnight in New York) to symbolically usher in the New Year! Happy New Year’s Eve-Eve-Eve!

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As you will no doubt notice, this week’s Sunday Bulletin is actually a two-week Bulletin. Those who produce and edit our Sunday Bulletin, namely Michael Petrogeorge and Goldie Karpakis spend a great deal of time in the creation of our parish’s primary means of communication. In an effort to alleviate this responsibility during the week before Christmas, we offer this extended version so that they can place their attention in other areas. Let us take this opportunity to bless and thank them for the continued and significant responsibility of doing the Sunday Bulletin.

As we pour into the contents of a two-week Bulletin, especially at this time of year, you’ll see that there is allot in there. Tons of activities, meetings, services, social gatherings and youth activities. In other words, there is much to anticipate when we contemplate a two-week span of December activities.

There are immediate joys, such as our annual Pet Blessing that will take place this Saturday, December 16th at 3:00 pm in the church parking lot (lightheartedly by the fire hydrant). Our Children’s Christmas Program is this Sunday, followed by a GOYA Ice Skating Outing and Christmas Party. Our Women’s Ministry Team will distribute gift baskets to our shut-ins, including blankets that were crafted by our parish youth. The schedule of services for the Nativity, and Theophany have been repeatedly published so that you can anticipate, and prayerfully plan ahead, how many services you can attend in preparation for, and in celebration of, our Lord’s Birth and Baptism. Anticipation is the definitive element during this time of year.

As adults, we anticipate and work towards the dizzying amount of responsibilities which come with the Holiday Season. Your days are shorter and your “to-do” list is longer. There is no escaping this present-day circumstance.

And children, our precious little ones are engrossed completely in anticipating the joys, the sights, the smells, the sounds, the traditions, the gifts and the magic that comes with Christmas morning. To be sure, much of this anticipation is filled with the Season’s secular contributions. Nevertheless, their excitement fuels our own childlike wonderment and nostalgic recollections, as we harken back to our own impatience and…anticipation. Don’t lose that innocence and youthful perspective. Don’t outgrow the feelings of anticipation for Christmas.

However, I invite you to look back even further than your own childhood, as you contemplate the eagerness of anticipated gifts. I call you back past the experiences of even your parents, grand parents and all your ancestry.

Anticipate Christmas. Anticipate Christ. Anticipate Christ like Isaiah the Prophet.

For centuries, the anticipation of the Messiah was filled with the same, arguably much more suspense, and expectation as what Santa will leave under the tree and place in our stockings. We once looked to the future, with great excitement, looking for comfort, council and salvation. We looked past the horizon for a King. We awaited God’s interaction.

In the event of the Nativity, we received the fulfilment to our anticipation.

And in the days before St. Nicholas took on new responsibilities, a new red suit, a new mode of transportation, a new North-Pole address, a new work force, new magical powers, added pounds, imposters in malls and the executive responsibility of the toy manufacturing industry, the Christian heart contemplated the anticipation of what His birth means to the world.

With the Incarnation of the Word, we now anticipate eternal life, salvation in the Lord, a re-admittance into Paradise and a place in His Kingdom.

The Prophet Isaiah, in the above-referenced passage speaks of anticipation in the ultimate sense. Let us use a Sunday Bulletin that is twice as big, and covers twice the normal time-span to be reminded that we are a people who are active in God’s presence, and anticipate the fullness of His Resurrection and the Light which illumines all of creation.

In the spirit of anticipation, I use this forum to wish you a Merry Christmas and a joyful Nativity. I invite you to experience the fullness of the season by participating in as many services as possible. Yes, this is a busy time of year. But I absolutely guarantee, that if your focus your anticipation in the right direction, your experience of spiritual fulfillment will be exponentially rewarded and increased.

Recapture the magic. Christ is to be Born! Glorify Him!

The zeal of the Lord of hosts HAS performed this!

With Much Love in Christ,
Fr. Anthony

This Week, we warmly and enthusiastically welcome His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver and Dn. Paul Zaharas, Metropolis Chancellor. This weekend, please join us in worship for:

The Conception of the Theotokos by St. Anna (A Parish Feast)
Saturday, December 9th
Orthros, 9:30 am
Divine Liturgy, 10:30 am

Resurrectional Great Vespers
Saturday, December 9th
5:00 pm
His Eminence Presiding

Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
Sunday, December 10th
Orthros, 9:15 am
Divine Liturgy, 10:15 am
His Eminence Celebrating

This is a blessed and important weekend in the spiritual life of the community. Come, let us greet and receive the blessing from our beloved Hierarch, Shepherd and Father.

St. Basil the Great: On Giving Thanks to the Creator

As you take your seat at table, pray. As you lift the loaf, offer thanks to the Giver. When you sustain your bodily weakness with wine, remember Him Who supplies you with this gift, to make your heart glad and to comfort your infirmity. Has your need for taking food passed away? Let not the thought of your Benefactor pass away too. As you are putting on your tunic, thank the Giver of it. As you wrap your cloak about yourself feel yet greater love to God, Who alike in summer and in winter has given us coverings convenient for us, at once to preserve our life, and to cover what is unseemly. Is the day done? Give thanks to Him Who has given us the sun for our daily work, and has provided for us a fire to light up the night, and to serve the rest of the needs of life. Let night give the other occasion of prayer. When thou look up to heaven and gaze at the beauty of the stars, pray to the Lord of the visible world; pray to God the Arch-artificer of the universe, Who in wisdom hath made them all. When you see all nature sunk in sleep, then again worship Him Who gives us even against our wills release from the continuous strain of toil, and by a short refreshment restores us once again to the vigor of our strength. Let not night herself be all, as it were, the special and peculiar property of sleep. Let not half thy life be useless through the senselessness of slumber. Divide the time of night between sleep and prayer. Nay, let your slumbers be themselves experiences in piety; for it is only natural that our sleeping dreams should be for the most part echoes of the anxieties of the day. As have been our conduct and pursuits, so will inevitably be our dreams. Thus pray without ceasing; so your life be made one ceaseless and uninterrupted prayer.”
+ St. Basil the Great, from Homily V. In Martyrem Julittam, quoted in the Prolegomena in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers Series II Volume 8

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful , unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid such people!” – 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Did you read the above quote? Did any, one thing on that long list of unpleasant attributes strike a chord within you? Can we identify any of those traits within ourselves? How frightening it is, if we can, since St. Timothy explicitly demands that we “avoid such people.” How can I avoid myself? I follow me around everywhere! What to do?!?

For me, I suppose the answer can be found, walking the sprawling, dirt-covered pathways of the Plimoth Plantation (spelled correctly) in Plymouth, MA (also spelled correctly). This picturesque, living history museum allows people to experience a Pilgrim village from the 1,600’s and an actual Wampanoag Tribe homesite. In other words, this place brings the ideals, visions and concepts of Thanksgiving Day to a blessed reality. Only a few miles away from Plymouth Rock, the Plantation literally sends you back in time.

The people who interact with visitors in the Pilgrim Village are character actors; dressing, speaking and “living” as people did upon reaching the blesses shores of our budding nation. The people in the Wampanoag Homesite are actual men and women of the Tribe. They are dressed in traditional clothing of the period, but they are not actors. Its and amazing place and I’ve been there, too many times to count.

As Americans, we have Thanksgiving Day as a National Holiday, dedicated to the recognition of gratitude. We may all have thoughts in our minds of what the first Thanksgiving Day may have looked like, there in the Massachusetts woods. Norman Rockwell paintings and elementary school programs put certain thoughts in our minds. These images give way to fall colors, basted turkeys, blustery days, football games and over indulgences. This is the modern and secular dynamic of celebrating Thanksgiving.

As Orthodox Christians, we have the opportunity, with every reception of the holy Mystery of Communion to be bathed in the concept of giving thanks unto God. We do not require a National Day of Recognition to understand the necessity of a thankful heart. We realize that God is worthy of our thanks. He is deserving of our praise. He is justified as the Giver of every gift, the Sustainer of every life and the Benefactor of every blessing. We have all we need to understand, submit, glorify and rest assuredly in His glory.

But then, there is St. Timothy’s pesky list of qualities that are less than desirable before God. And I believe, the chief among them is he who is unthankful.

The wicked is unthankful.
The godless is unthankful.
The rebel before Christ is unthankful.
The arrogant and unrepentant sinner is unthankful.
The blasphemer of the Holy Spirit is unthankful.

As we approach the day that was given to our Nation as an opportunity to reflect, pray, entreat and appeal, I invite all of us to be reminded of all that has, and will be given to us. Thanksgiving is not a day, it is a quality. It is a definitive trait of the Christian heart and it is the translator of God’s grace.

Go ahead, live in the fanciful and romanticized depiction of Pilgrims and Native Americans sharing a meal, shaking hands and living as one. This is the Thanksgiving of our youth. There is no need to abandon this image completely – especially since most lessons we learned as kids are fading away quickly – Christopher Columbus was a bad guy who did nothing like what we learned or sung about, and Thomas Edison did not invent the light bulb. We’ll leave the Pilgrims alone.

But by all means, and in everyway, make Thanksgiving a daily, prayerful exercise. Practice gratitude. Humble ourselves before God. Partake of the Mysteries and in all things, give thanks.

Enjoy the blessings of Thanksgiving Day. They will sustain, inspire and guide us. In gratitude, I remain,

In Christ’s Love,

Fr. Anthony