Happy Thanksgiving!

[Greg the byzantine]

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Americans from an ex-pat.

Polyeleos - Tone 5 - Byzantine Chant (English) - YouTube

Monastery Ormylia Service for Maria of Magdal, Matins - 03 Ispovedaitesja Afonsko Gl 1 7 8 - YouTube

 

[rusmeister]

Thanks, from another expat! (Permanent exile seems more like it)

I'm dealing with depression. My wife is in Germany, being with and bringing home her aunt who had an operation for cancer, my children are with their grandparents, and I have to work when I feel like collapsing. Thanksgiving is one of the only opportunities to assert my American-ness and my family's connection to America, and it ain't gonna happen this year. Plus a second Orthodox couple in our circle of friends is divorcing, and I am trying to do what I can to snap Orthodox Christians out of this evil spell that has them thinking divorce is an OK option when the marriage becomes difficult.

I'm thankful my kids still HAVE grandparents, and that we have a comfy home, food on the table, work to earn it and a safe and peaceful life. Trying to focus on that.

The most difficult moment for the atheist is when he is truly thankful, and has no one to thank.

GK Chesterton

 

[Dewi Sant]

Rus, you have my prayers.

 

[Dewi Sant]

Les Indes galantes. Les Sauvages - YouTube

Ah, American culture viewed through 18th cent. European eyes...

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Americans from an ex-pat.

Polyeleos - Tone 5 - Byzantine Chant (English) - YouTube

Monastery Ormylia Service for Maria of Magdal, Matins - 03 Ispovedaitesja Afonsko Gl 1 7 8 - YouTube

Happy Thanksgiving !!! And many thanks for the chants..

 

[ArmyMatt]

happy Thanksgiving y'all!

the final homily of Fr Alexander Schmemann, written on Thanksgiving only a few weeks before his death. pretty awesome that he would write something like this when he is wracked with pain from cancer.

Everyone capable of thanksgiving is capable of salvation and eternal joy.
Thank You, O Lord, for having accepted this Eucharist, which we offered to the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and which filled our hearts with the joy, peace and righteousness of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You, O Lord, for having revealed Yourself unto us and given us the foretaste of Your Kingdom.
Thank You, O Lord, for having united us to one another in serving You and Your Holy Church.
Thank You, O Lord, for having helped us to overcome all difficulties, tensions, passions, temptations and restored peace, mutual love and joy in sharing the communion of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You, O Lord, for the sufferings You bestowed upon us, for they are purifying us from selfishness and reminding us of the “one thing needed;” Your eternal Kingdom.
Thank You, O Lord, for having given us this country where we are free to Worship You.
Thank You, O Lord, for this school, where the name of God is proclaimed.
Thank You, O Lord, for our families: husbands, wives and, especially, children who teach us how to celebrate Your holy Name in joy, movement and holy noise.
Thank You, O Lord, for everyone and everything.
Great are You, O Lord, and marvelous are Your deeds, and no word is sufficient to celebrate Your miracles.
Lord, it is good to be here! Amen.

 

[Lukaris]

More Orthodox reflections on Thanksgiving:

We Give Thanks to Thee, O Christ Our God | Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese


Happy Thanksgiving & pray that the blight of consumerism disappear from this day.

 

[Dewi Sant]

Saint [Elder] Paisios said: "Do not envy people who have money, comforts, fame and power; rather look to those who live with virtue, reason and piety."

(It's in my signature)


The beautiful thing is, when one acquires the peace of Christian living, all the material things become more beautiful and special, but not in what they are, but in that they bless one's existence.
My own observations, badly expressed.

 

[Yeshua HaDerekh]

Saint [Elder] Paisios said: "Do not envy people who have money, comforts, fame and power; rather look to those who live with virtue, reason and piety."

(It's in my signature)


The beautiful thing is, when one acquires the peace of Christian living, all the material things become more beautiful and special, but not in what they are, but in that they bless one's existence.
My own observations, badly expressed.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I'm VERY sorry to hear of your depression, Rus. You know, it's just so easy to fall into it....Being isolated in a foreign land and your wife being away and seeing the ease of "no fault" divorce and just all the work and daily grind, I understand how you feel.

My wife works three 12-hour shifts as an RN. But what people don't realize is that an RN works 3 night shifts then has to sleep on day 4, so it's more like 4 days shot. She's done some overtime, too. So I'm alone a lot. And it's an isolating feeling at times. I get a little down over that. Add to that the fact that my neck and shoulders continue to kill me 24/7 despite every single possible solution I've attempted. And financially we're just living to pay off debt. My wife and I are making great money and it just goes to pay off cards. On top of that, my job, for obvious reasons, is draining. At times I just want to throw my hands up and say, "this generation is SCREWED!" but the Orthodox Christian in me, the chrism poured on my head, smacks me across the skull and keeps me away from that fatalism.

This might sound odd to say, but I feel like an ex-pat sometimes. This country has turned into something foreign to what I grew up with, and religion-wise it has utterly departed its heritage. Sometimes I feel like I was deported! LOL

Hang in there, mate. I feel for ya. Many blessings! Keep your chin up in Christ....stay in the marathon!

Thanks, from another expat! (Permanent exile seems more like it)

I'm dealing with depression. My wife is in Germany, being with and bringing home her aunt who had an operation for cancer, my children are with their grandparents, and I have to work when I feel like collapsing. Thanksgiving is one of the only opportunities to assert my American-ness and my family's connection to America, and it ain't gonna happen this year. Plus a second Orthodox couple in our circle of friends is divorcing, and I am trying to do what I can to snap Orthodox Christians out of this evil spell that has them thinking divorce is an OK option when the marriage becomes difficult.

I'm thankful my kids still HAVE grandparents, and that we have a comfy home, food on the table, work to earn it and a safe and peaceful life. Trying to focus on that.

GK Chesterton

 

[Gxg (G²)]

the final homily of Fr Alexander Schmemann, written on Thanksgiving only a few weeks before his death. pretty awesome that he would write something like this when he is wracked with pain from cancer.

Everyone capable of thanksgiving is capable of salvation and eternal joy.
Thank You, O Lord, for having accepted this Eucharist, which we offered to the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and which filled our hearts with the joy, peace and righteousness of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You, O Lord, for having revealed Yourself unto us and given us the foretaste of Your Kingdom.
Thank You, O Lord, for having united us to one another in serving You and Your Holy Church.
Thank You, O Lord, for having helped us to overcome all difficulties, tensions, passions, temptations and restored peace, mutual love and joy in sharing the communion of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You, O Lord, for the sufferings You bestowed upon us, for they are purifying us from selfishness and reminding us of the “one thing needed;” Your eternal Kingdom.
Thank You, O Lord, for having given us this country where we are free to Worship You.
Thank You, O Lord, for this school, where the name of God is proclaimed.
Thank You, O Lord, for our families: husbands, wives and, especially, children who teach us how to celebrate Your holy Name in joy, movement and holy noise.
Thank You, O Lord, for everyone and everything.
Great are You, O Lord, and marvelous are Your deeds, and no word is sufficient to celebrate Your miracles.
Lord, it is good to be here! Amen.

Amen...