Holy Apostles Orthodox Church
345 Ridge Rd, Lansing, NY
Orthodox Church in America
Memorial Day Thoughts

Memorial Day Thoughts

St Tikhon, who spent many years bringing the light of the Gospel to the various peoples of North America, established a monastery in 1905 as a base of missionary operations. This is the monastery that today bears the name of his patron saint. Every year since then, the faithful of the Church have gathered at that holy site to memorialize those who have fallen asleep in the Lord.

   

            Being a great missionary, St Tikhon learned that Americans hold Memorial Day as a dear celebration. As Americans, we honor those who have been called by the country to protect it. Whether they gave their lives in the course of their duty or in their advanced years, we honor and thank all of those who have gone on before us. We memorialize, and forever remember that many have sacrificed their very lives to protect the moral bulwark that is the United States.

            St Tikhon saw this day for what it was – a sacred day on the civil calendar that can be, and has been, transformed into a solemn day of thankfulness to the Almighty Lord who has delivered us from the evil one. Every year, the pilgrimage to St Tikhon’s Monastery prays for the souls of the departed soldiers as well as those fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and loved ones who have chosen to leave their mortal remains close to that holy altar.

http://www.sttikhonsmonastery.org/images/photos/historical/stm_1900_47.jpg      

            This day also comes with a charge. To not only remember that the soldiers and faithful of bygone eras have reposed, but that we must continue to emulate their hope in the resurrection through self-sacrificial love. We cannot be indulgent consumers of a society that encourages bloated overindulgence, but must have the same hope in the resurrection that looks for the immense and joyous rewards of the Kingdome to Come. I fear that we must continue to maintain our identity as the moral bulwark in an age of relativism and secularism. The values of our country can be great, but the societal values are deteriorating. We, as the people of the Body of Christ, must be faithful to the holy virtuous life to which the Lord Jesus Christ has called us which offers salvation for the life of the world and our beloved fellow Americans.

            Through the prayers of St Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and Enlightener of North America, all the saints who have shown forth in the North American lands, may the Lord bless us all on this solemn day to live righteously and virtuously.


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