Thanksgiving amid Suffering

Earlier this week, when in the choir, I noticed the word "thanksgiving" pop up in one of the hymns. Now, that probably is not terribly rare, for it seems somewhat likely to hear a word like "thanksgiving" appear in Christian hymnography from time to time, but being the week of Thanksgiving, it caught my attention.

It was during the Vespers and Matins services for the Great-martyr James of Persia on Tuesday night. I just learned that he is also called the Great-martyr James the Sawn-Asunder, if that clarifies what might make him a great martyr.
Thou hast astonished all by thy terrifying torments and the valor of thine endurance, O much suffering one, most wondrously uttering prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord as each of thy members was severed from thy body. Wherefore, receiving a crown amid thy suffering, thou hast ascended to the throne of Christ God, the King of heaven. Entreat Him, O James, that He save our souls. 
This is not at all to put a damper on Thanksgiving. Quite the opposite. Here is something we can emulate. In his most vicious trials, the Martyr James spoke prayers of thanksgiving. Meaning, no matter were we find ourselves, we can follow his example, utter our own prayers of thanksgiving, and also come out victorious from our struggles.

For many of us, the holidays are not a time of joy, and Thanksgiving is only the beginning of a one-month, long-haul of rather unpleasant times. The holidays do mean family, and even if that means the absence of family or maybe the proximity to family difficulties, we all can take courage with this weapon of the faith that we have: thanksgiving. Let us find our example in St. James the Sawn-Asunder, and utter prayers of Thanksgiving in these times, whether we find the holidays joyous or depressing.

This is much more than just a think-positive exercise. It is an about-face, a conscious step away from despair and toward our Creator. The prayer above, calling on the supplicatory prayers of St. James on our behalf is certainly fitting in any situation. Also, if the words of thanksgiving are a little bit hard to pry from your heart, the new prayer book from St. Tikhon's Monastery has a prayer just for Thanksgiving Day, which helps us look around us to the many blessings we all share:





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