CIRCULAR UKASE

UKASE of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

To All Diocesan Bishops and Parish Rectors Directly Under the President of the Synod of Bishops in the United States.

The Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia on January 22/February 4, 1985, HEARD

the oral report of Archbishop Anthony of San Francisco, that in the United States of America there is the pious custom of marking the civil holiday known as Thanksgiving Day with prayers of thanksgiving. In several of our parishes a Supplicatory Service of Thanksgiving is served on this day. This custom ought to be legitimized.

RESOLVED: In the Russian Orthodox churches within the United States of America to establish the serving of supplicatory services of thanksgiving, which are to replace petitions of thanksgiving during the Reiterate Litany, if the Liturgy is celebrated on that day.

[Resolved also:] To send out an encyclical directive concerning this to all the diocesan bishops and the rectors of those parishes within the United States of America which are subject directly to the President of the Synod.

President of the Synod of Bishops

+Metropolitan Philaret

Secretary of the Synod of Bishops

+Bishop Gregory

20 February/5 March 1985

#21/35/61