Thanksgiving

Dear Parish Faithful,

Christians are "eucharistic beings," that is, human persons who give thanks (eucharistia means "thanksgiving") to the living God for creation, redemption and the promise of the Kingdom. Whatever the historical or mythic nature of Thanksgiving Day, it helps us focus on this basic aspect of our human nature as created "in the image and likeness of God." Thanksgiving Day is the most ecclesial of our civil holidays, the commemoration most easily "baptized" in the culture of the Church. That is why we always celebrate the Eucharistic Liturgy for this national holiday. This year, we will serve the Vesperal Liturgy this evening beginning at 6:00 p.m. Hopefully, you have already made room on your schedules to begin Thanksgiving Day by participating in the service of thanksgiving par excellence - the Divine Liturgy, culminating in the reception of the Eucharist, which is Christ Himself.

Preparing to receive the Eucharist at a Vesperal Liturgy means that we fast from food and drink from at least around noon until the reception of Holy Communion at the service.

For those unaware of this, we have received a blessing to eat meat on Thanksgiving Day from our hierarchs.

Fr. Steven

Webmaster's Note: We remember with "thanksgiving" and great warmth of heart our beloved teacher and father, Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann, who fell asleep in the Lord twenty-five years ago this December 13. Fr Alexander, though quite frail at the time, delivered his final homily on Thanksgiving Day Liturgy, 1983: "Thank You, O Lord!"