“Glory to God in All Things.” –John Chrysostom.
Who can have the courage and honesty to say these words? As I celebrate this thanksgiving with a spot to my left that should be occupied by my son and yet is filled by another, my being is consumed with a joyful sorrow that longs for restoration.
A handwritten prayer with the title “Glory to God in All Things” was found amongst Father Gregory Petroff’s belongings after he died in a Soviet gulag. The prayer has been attributed to him, but it was more likely written by Metropolitan Tryphon Petrovich. The prayer circulated through Soviet prison camps in handwritten copies.
Today, while I mourn, this portion has become my thanksgiving prayer:
Kontakion 2
(kontakion-a poetic sermon in verse)
O Lord, how lovely it is to be Thy guest. Breeze full of scents; mountains reaching to the skies; waters like boundless mirrors reflecting the sun’s golden rays and the scuddling clouds. All nature murmurs mysteriously, breathing the depth of tenderness. Birds and beasts of the forest bear the imprint of Thy love. Blessed art thou, mother earth, in thy fleeting loveliness, which wakens our yearning for happiness that will last forever, in the land where, amid beauty that grows not old, the cry rings out: Alleluia!
Ikos 2
(ikos-a hymn sung for a particular feast day)
You brought me into this life as into an enchanted paradise. We have seen the sky like a chalice of deepest blue, where in the azure heights the birds are singing. We have listened to the soothing murmur of the forest and the melodious music of the streams. We have tasted fruit of fine flavor and the sweet-scented honey. We can live very well on Thine earth. It is pleasure to be Thy guest.
Glory to Thee for the Feast Day of life
Glory to Thee for the perfume of lilies and roses
Glory to Thee for each sparkling silver of early morning dew
Glory to Thee for the joy of dawn’s awakening
Glory to Thee for the new life each day brings
Glory to Thee, O God, from age to age
Today, on Thanksgiving, I will commune with Father Gregory and the millions of others who during great suffering sang, “Glory to God in All Things!”
