Washington, D.C., November 21, 2025
Photo: Catherine Whiteford/X
A pan-Orthodox delegation met with another U.S. Representative yesterday, under the auspices of the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco.
A delegation consisting of OCA, ROCOR, Antiochian Archdiocese, Serbian Church, and Greek Archdiocese hierarchs, clergy, and laity met with Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) on Tuesday to discuss the persecution of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church and how the U.S. government can help.
And yesterday, the delegation, including His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, the First Hierarch of ROCOR, His Grace Bishop John Abdalah of Worcester (Antiochian), Fr. Vasilije Vranic representing His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America (Serbian), and others, met with Rep. Darrell Issa, who is himself an Antiochian Orthodox Christian, reports the Union of Orthodox Journalists.
Bishop John (Antiochian) and Metropolitan Nicholas (ROCOR) speak with Rep. Issa. Photo: Catherine Whiteford/X
Delegation member and co-Chair of the Young Republican National Federation Catherine Whiteford wrote about the meeting on X:
Thank you to Congressman @repdarrellissa for meeting with our delegation of pan-Orthodox bishops and clergy yesterday to discuss the ongoing religious persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).
We are grateful for his leadership as Vice Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and, as an Antiochian Orthodox Christian himself, for his deep understanding of the challenges faced by persecuted Christians around the world.
Thankful for the conversation and his commitment to defending religious freedom.
The Society of St. John is also organizing a Legislative Day of Action for Orthodox Christians and Allies on December 16, with a number of visits on Capitol Hill. Learn more and join the event at the Society of St. John site.
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