There is nothing more Orthodox than Thanksgiving. Though the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday are not Orthodox (nor the pumpkin pie), the concept behind it all – giving thanks to God for all He has given us –definitely is. It is on Thanksgiving Day that Orthodox Christians have a chance to help humankind look deeper into itself. If we are to call Thanksgiving a holiday (“holy day”), it must be more than remembering the pilgrims.It must be more than visiting with family and gorging ourselves on a sumptuous feast. Thanksgiving is a state of being, one that we need to cultivate and make perpetual, present every day of our lives.On Thanksgiving Day, Orthodox Christians have a unique opportunity to show the rest of America what this day is all about. Those who fled religious persecution and landed here understood why this holy day was so special.They celebrated their safe arrival in real communion with one another. They gave thanks to God for all the bountiful gifts with which He blessed them. And so, we should all do the same. This is a day to reflect on the things for which we are grateful. And then take time in prayer to thank God for those things.But why should we thank Him? Because the life He gave us is sacred. Above all things God has given us, the chief among those is life itself. He created us in His image and likeness. God gave us the breath of life; He is
the source of our being and the reason for our existence. In His love, Almighty God created us to commune with Him, and now we can have that kind of life with Him in the Church. So perhaps the better question is: why shouldn’t we thank Him, for our very life and all the blessings within it?