I Thank Thee

Posted in St. Aidan Community | Tagged , - by Rebecca

‘O King of ages, Who, by the power of Thy salvific

providence, holdeth in Thy right hand all the ways of man’s

life: I thank Thee for all Thy visible and secret goods, for

earthly life and for the heavenly joy of Thy future Kingdom.

Pour forth richly Thy grace, in the future as well, on us who

sing to Thee: Glory to Thee, O God, in ages!” (Kontakion 1)

I look into Thy sky filled with stars. O how rich Thou art!

How much light there is in Thee! Through the light of the

distant stars Thou lookest at me from eternity. I am tiny and

destitute, but the Lord is with me. His hand is always near

me and He leads me with love in all my ways.

Glory to Thee Who continually watcheth over us.

Glory to Thee Who considereth mine every meeting with people.

Glory to Thee for the love of relatives / and the fidelity of friends.

Glory to Thee for the meekness / of the domestic animals who serve me.

Glory to Thee for the bright moments of life.

Glory to Thee for the happiness of living, seeing and feeling.

Glory to Thee, O God, in ages.’ (Ikos 5)

– from The Akathist of Thanksgiving by Hieromartyr Grigori Petroff, composed shortly before his death in a prison camp in 1940. The title, Glory to God for all Things, is from the words of Saint John Chrysostom as he was dying in exile and is a song of praise from amidst the most terrible sufferings.

Read the full Akathist here.