Month: November 2016

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
– I Thess.5:18

On the eve of a most reflective and glorious day, I can say nothing more than the president who granted this Thanksgiving Day. Enjoy:

Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.

They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

As His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver reminded us this past Sunday during his homily, Thanksgiving Day is the only National Holiday that is centered on God. We will do well to be grateful. Un unappreciative heart is a dark, cold place.

St. Gregory the Wonderworker says that “Ingratitude is despicable…the most despicable thing of all. For someone who has experienced something good not to try to return the favor, even if he can manage no more than verbal thanks, he must plainly be obtuse and insensitive to his benefits, or thoughtless.”

We have much for which to be grateful. I pray you enjoy the day most splendidly.

With Love and Gratitude in Christ,

Fr. Anthony Savas

ALSO PLEASE REMEMBER:

His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah and Dn. Paul Zaharas will be here for the Feast of the Conception of the Theotokos. This is one of the feasts of St. Anna, so it is a Feast Day of our parish. Please come and participate! These services remind us what a blessing it is to have THE mother of the Theotokos as our matron saint and intercessor before Christ.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8TH, 7:00 PM, GREAT VESPERS WITH ARTOCLASIA (BLESSING OF SWEET BREADS)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9TH, 9:30 AM ORTHROS, 10:30 AM DIVINE LITURGY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11TH, 9:15 AM ORTHROS, 10:15 HIERARCHICAL DIVINE LITURGY

2016 STEWARDSHIP: PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR PLEDGE FOR THIS YEAR.

2017 STEWARDSHIP: PLEASE PICK UP, PRAY ABOUT, FILL IN, AND SEND BACK YOUR PLEDGE CARDS. WE WILL BLESS OUR STEWARDSHIP OFFERING UPON THE ALTAR ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4TH DURING THE DIVINE LITURGY.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS FESTIVE DISPLAY OF FALL COLORS.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

“Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.”
– Kontakion Hymn for the Entrance of the Theotokos (Into the Temple)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
A week from today, we as a Nation, and throughout individual households, will sit down, together with family, friends and loved ones to share a meal together. Though this happens every day and with little notice or attention, next Thursday’s dinner is not about the meal itself, or even the people, themselves, gathered around the table.
It won’t be an anniversary or a birthday that will bind the people through tradition. It’s not a feast day of the church or a religious holiday. Thanksgiving Day is grounded in the gratitude of the people for the foundation and preservation of our fine country. It’s a National Holiday; secular in design, though spiritual in foundation.
But early next week, while your neighbors are jotting down lists, exchanging recipes and borrowing extra folding chairs, we as Orthodox Christians have another commemoration of thanksgiving that will be celebrated. Children won’t act out this expression of thanksgiving in school plays, and there are no decorations to be found in stores which reflect this historical event.
Monday, November 21st, we celebrate the Feast of the Theotokos’ Entrance into the Temple. Through the Gospel (Protoevangelium) of St. James, authored by the brother of Jesus Christ, we are blessed with the details of the Theotokos’ birth and early life.
On this day, the Theotokos was brought to the Temple at three years of age, where she was consecrated to God and spent her days there until she was fourteen or fifteen years old.
When the Panaghia turned two years old, St. Ioakim, the father of the Theotokos, told St. Anna, “Let us take her up to the Temple of the Lord, so that we may pay the vow which we have vowed.” (Prot. James 7:2). In other words, “Since we are so thankful to God for giving us a child, we will dedicate her wholly and completely to His service.”
By Ss. Ioakim and Anna’s sincere gratitude towards God, the Theotokos lived an undistracted life of virtue, chastity, prayer and righteousness. She dwelt in His holy dwelling place until she was of age to be betrothed to the noble Joseph. Ultimately petitioned by God to bear His Son, she brought to fruition, His plan of salvation for the entire human race.
It all began with thanksgiving.
The turn of events in our fallen world began with gratitude.
The scales of divine justice were tipped in our favor through appreciation.
God reintroduced goodness into the world, and we were thankful.
It is my fervent prayer that before we consider the historical events of Thanksgiving Day, and our contemporary traditions which orbit around it, we take the time to meditate upon the gratitude of Ss. Ioakim and Anna. They made a promise to God out of their appreciation of what He did for them.
And what He did for them, was a gift to us all – eternal life.
Be thankful. Happy Thanksgiving!
With Love in XC,
Fr. Anthony

“O Holy Master, Almighty Father and Pre-Eternal God, Who alone made and directed all things; Who rises up quickly against the evil of the impious ones; Who, by Providence, teaches Your people preservation of Justice and the obliteration of the sword on earth; Who condescend to raise up military columns to help the people: O God, Who commanded the Forerunner John to say to the soldiers coming to him in the desert, “Do not intimidate anyone … and be content with your wages:” We entreat You with compunction, that You gave Your child David the power to defeat Goliath, and as You condescended, through Judas Maccabeus, to seize victory from the arrogant pagans who would not call on Your Name; so too, grant protection in righteousness and truth to these Your servants against the enemies rising against them, and by Your heavenly loving-kindness, strength and might for the preservation of faith and truth. Condescend, out of Your mercy, O Master, to grant them the fear of You, together with humility, obedience and good endurance; that they kill no one unrighteously, but rather preserve all righteousness and truth; that they may fear You and honor Justice; that they run in friendship to those who are scattered, extending Your love to those near them, serving the elderly with justice; and that their ranks fulfill all things righteously; For You are our God, and to You do we ascribe glory; to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.”
– Orthodox Prayer for a Soldier in Time of War

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Several years ago, once when Veterans Day fell on a Sunday, my parish sponsored a program where our Vets displayed memorabilia from their time in the military, wore their uniforms, and introduced us, and most profoundly our children, to the realities of their time in various combat arenas. It was a beautiful sight; the men who took pride in their service to Country, and the grateful citizens who offered sentiments of profound thanksgiving.
One man particularly, a gentle, elderly man by the name of Athanasios (Tom) captivated our son’s attention. Damian was only a small boy at the time, and he couldn’t remove himself from looking at the pictures displayed, which featured the plane Tom flew in World War II. He was utterly captivated. Those aerial shots of his massive bomber were impressive to say the least. But it was more than pictures of old airplanes that drew him to Tom’s table. This veteran took the time to offer details about life as a WWII pilot. He was inviting and engaging. He drew in a little boy without romanticizing the violence of war, but making us all feel proud of his accomplishments and those of his fellow service men and women.
Our son walked away that day, having met a real hero, and carrying with him, his own pictures of Tom’s plane, together with the gift of his Captain’s Bars. What a treasure for a little boy!
This circumstance involved one child and one veteran. There are countless opportunities for such instances to occur because of the great number of people who have given their time and their very lives to the high purpose of defending our country. Veterans Day, occurring tomorrow, November 11th, is that special time when we can pray for and reach out to the sacrificial souls who commit themselves to our freedoms. I found what is the most concise and clear explanation about Veteran’s Day, of which I will share with you. It reads:
“On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.”
It introduced a brief video on the history of this special day and why we need to be ever mindful.

War is not to be celebrated, only lamented. But the people who fight the war: those who pay the costs, suffer the losses, make the critical decisions and face the dangers are to be thanked and blessed. For all of you who have served in the American Armed Forces, I, on behalf of our loving community, extend our prayerful sentiments, sincere gratitude and profound appreciation. If you have served in times of war, thank you for placing yourselves in the face of grave danger, so that we may live in freedom. And to the men and women who were blessed to serve in times of peace, I am profoundly grateful that your skills, preparation and training proved to be weapons of deterrent, not catastrophe.
God bless our veterans. God bless our country. God bless our freedom. God bless you.
With Gratitude and Love in XC,
Fr. Anthony

“Even if we have thousands of acts of great virtue to our credit, our confidence in being heard must be based on God’s mercy and love for men. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, it is by mercy that we shall he saved.” – St. John Chrysostom

Dearly Beloved in the Lord,
My Thursday “work day” is almost over. Each week, I consider the writing of this message to be either the last thing I do today, or the first thing I’ll do tomorrow. Most weeks it is actually both! Thursdays are typically very busy days for me. Today was no exception.
Just to walk you through the course of my day, I want to share with you, the three main items that were on my mind, in my prayers, and on my list of things to do.
On Friday evening, I am participating in a very special occasion. Catholic Community Services of Salt Lake City is hosting their annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner. Having been asked to deliver the Invocation at this amazing event, I’ve been thinking and praying throughout the day, what it means to offer one’s services to God, through the least of His people. What motivates us to dedicate time and resources to the crestfallen and needy? How does God, not man, recognize such virtue?
For the many of us who offer some measure of assistance to those less fortunate, there are a precious few, who, like tomorrow’s Recipients, stand out through their dynamic and prolific works. We all want to lend a helping hand. But to some, their desire to change the world for the better, is taken to new heights and exalted realms.
I am deeply honored to pray for the blessing upon such an occasion; the celebration of humanitarian efforts. Earlier today I prayed, thought, jotted down some ideas, wrote and rewrote some phrases that I hope will bring glory to God.
Let’s see. What else did I do today/yesterday?
As I’m sure you’re aware, we have an election just around the corner. This election will define the course of our future, further establish our goals, and grant us the opportunity to lift up leaders from amongst the best of ourselves.
No, I’m not speaking of next Tuesday’s election. I’m writing about our parish election on December 4th, where we will elect a new Parish Council for the next year, and look to the coming months for further growth through God’s blessings, and through the proper fidelity and direction of St. Anna’s new and continuing leadership.
Now is the time of year, and today was the day, to prepare election packets, organize the forms, gather the Committee and pave the way for a smooth and well-executed Parish Council Election. But no matter how organized the committee, or how accurately prepared are the forms, there can be no election, without faithful and capable candidates.
I am continually impressed and humbled by the sacrificial service and continued levels of enthusiasm, demonstrated by our Parish Council. And to think of the new people who, perhaps for the first time, will respond to the Call, and enter a life of steadfast service to the church as future members of the Parish Council.
My I say parenthetically, that if you have any desire to run for the Parish Council, please contact me immediately. I would love to discuss your wish to serve the Lord through the people of our community.
Hmm.. Busy, busy…What else?
I starting jotting down notes about each of the Divine Liturgies that will be celebrated in the month of November. Ideas for little sermons. Besides Sunday mornings, there are still FIVE other Feasts to celebrate this month. They are as follows:
The Synaxis of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, November 8th
St. Nektarios the Wonderworker, November 9th
The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, November 21st
St. Katherine the Great Martyr, November 25th
St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle, November 30th
Each of these saints, including the Heavenly, Bodiless Powers; the Archangels, are lifted up, so that we can prayerfully contemplate their service to God. Through their unique ministries and personal acts of devotion to Christ, we have luminaries in our midst, of whom we can emulate and follow. Their stories should blend into our own paths towards salvation as we incorporate their zeal for Christ into our daily living. Today, I began to organize the rest of this month around these great and holy days.
And so it is, that with these completed tasks, and a few others, this day comes to an end. It was a lovely day. And it was lovely because my “to-do list” revolved completely around one, simple concept; service to God who is merciful towards us.
Philanthropists and Humanitarian leaders who are recognized for their contributions; future Parish Council Members who will one day soon, be spending hours, resources and energies towards the administration of our parish, and the Saints -recognized and honored- for their crowns of glory, all embody, in various degrees and through differing expressions, what St. John Chrysostom had to share in the above-referenced quote.
We can receive awards. We can serve on councils and boards. We can even be glorified and sanctified as saints!
But what does any of it matter, if God is not merciful towards us? Salvation is not gained through the work of our hands, if not by the saving nature of our Saving Lord. It is good to serve Him in any capacity. At all times and in every way.
Well what do you know, in the time it took to share these pastoral thoughts, today became yesterday, and it’s already tomorrow. I’ll be sending this message to you shortly.
With Much Love in the Service of Christ,
Fr. Anthony