OCA Publishes Thanksgiving Service for America's 250th Anniversary

SPRINGFIELD, VA — The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) has released a special Service of Thanksgiving to Almighty God commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, making the text available for use throughout the nation’s semiquincentennial year. The publication follows a statement issued by the Holy Synod of Bishops during its Spring 2026 session, which called upon Orthodox faithful to mark the anniversary through prayer, gratitude, repentance, charitable service, and renewed commitment to the Gospel.

The newly published service is intended for widespread use across the OCA, including in dioceses, parishes, monasteries, seminaries, institutions, and private homes. Church leaders have encouraged clergy and laity alike to incorporate the prayers into their observance of the anniversary year, offering thanksgiving for God's blessings while seeking His continued guidance and protection for the nation and its people.

The text itself draws heavily from a service originally prepared by the OCA for the United States bicentennial celebration in 1976. While preserving the spirit of gratitude that characterized the Church's observance of the nation's 200th anniversary, the revised version has been updated to address contemporary circumstances facing both the Church and American society.

In addition to the liturgical texts, the service booklet includes the Holy Synod's official statement on the anniversary, underscoring the bishops' call for spiritual reflection and prayerful observance. The publication has been made available in both digital PDF format and as a print-ready file for local reproduction and distribution.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. Mark reflected on Orthodoxy's place in America at 250 years.