In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Beloved brethren, on this day set aside by the rulers of the land, we are gathered to render thanks to Almighty God, Who is wondrous in His works and abundant in His mercies. For even as the harvest was gathered by the hands of our fathers, so also today we gather the harvest of our lives, and offer unto the Lord a sacrifice of praise.
For the Lord, Who feeds the birds of the air and clothes the lilies of the field, has not forgotten His people. He has granted us daily bread, shelter, and the fellowship of one another. And beyond these earthly gifts, He has bestowed upon us the inestimable treasure of salvation, purchased not with silver or gold, but with the precious Blood of His only-begotten Son.
Let us remember, O faithful, that gratitude is not only a word upon the lips, but a virtue rooted in the heart. The leper who returned to Christ fell at His feet and gave thanks; so too must we fall before the Lord in humility, recognizing that all good things come from His hand. As the Apostle teaches, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Yet let us not be forgetful of the poor, the hungry, and the lonely. For the blessings we enjoy are given not for hoarding, but for sharing. The Lord has placed us as stewards over His manifold gifts; let us therefore multiply them through charity, hospitality, and mercy, that the Name of God may be glorified.
On this day of Thanksgiving, as we sit at the table and partake of the fruits of the earth, let us also set a table of righteousness before the Lord: with the bread of compassion, the wine of joy, the oil of healing, and the incense of prayer.
Through the prayers of the Theotokos and all the saints, may our thanksgiving be acceptable in His sight, and may He continue to bless this land, its people, and His Holy Church, now and ever and unto the ages of ages.
Amen.
