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Published
by
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese,
November 19, 2004
Encyclical
of Archbishop Demetrios for Thanksgiving
2004 |
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Protocol 95/04
November 25, 2004
The Feast of Thanksgiving
To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend
Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the
Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of
the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Day,
Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos
Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic
Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox
Family in America
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It is the time of the year when we once again
anticipate beautiful and joyous gatherings with
family and friends. We commemorate various
holidays and feasts with prayer, fellowship, and
love, acknowledging the communal bonds that we
have in our homes and throughout this country.
Certainly, this is the significance of the feast
of Thanksgiving, a national holiday that had its
beginnings in the trials and triumphs of a group
of people who, in the early seventeenth century,
found a home and freedom in America. Leaving
behind religious persecution, those early settlers
faced the hardships of perilous travel, uncertain
accommodations, and harsh weather to establish
their new community. First and foremost they knew
that none of this would be possible without the
help of God. Through their faith and communal
bonds they found the strength to endure many
difficulties. As a consequence, they were
inundated with a feeling of immense gratefulness
to God. Thus, the first celebration of
Thanksgiving was born.
The first commemoration of Thanksgiving in the
year 1621 was truly a celebration of the life as a
gift from God and a thankful acknowledgment of His
providence. It was also a celebration of the bonds
of fellowship and love that brought together
distinct peoples who each shared in a recognition
of the dignity of the other. It is evident that
these things were in the mind and heart of
President Abraham Lincoln when over two centuries
later he would proclaim Thanksgiving a national
holiday.
When Lincoln issued his presidential proclamation
on Thanksgiving in 1863, this country was engulfed
in a brutal civil war. The communal bonds of the
United States had been broken, and the fellowship
and trust that had characterized the founding of
this country had been discarded and replaced by
bloodshed and destruction. In calling all
Americans both here and abroad to a day of
“Thanksgiving and Praise,” President Lincoln asked
all to “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.”
Since that time, Thanksgiving has been a national
holiday, one that is not only rooted in our
thankfulness to God for His abundant blessings and
grace, but also one that affirms the bonds of love
and fellowship that unite us as families,
communities, and as a nation. In addition, through
our Orthodox Christian Faith we know and
experience the necessity of community as we gather
for worship and offer faithful service to one
another and to anyone in need. Through our
parishes we offer a witness of the life and love
of Christ, in Whom true community is founded.
On this feast of Thanksgiving, may we give thanks
to Almighty God for the abundant life granted to
us and for the peace, harmony, love, and joy that
we share with our families, friends, and our
brothers and sisters in Christ. May we also affirm
our commitment to strengthening the communal bonds
within our homes, cities, and nation through our
selfless and sacrificial acts of love and
fellowship. In so doing, many more will join us in
expressing gratitude to God for the great
blessings He has bestowed upon us.
With paternal love in Christ,
†DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America
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