Washington, DC, and San Francisco, January 26, 2025
Photo: oca.org
Hierarchs led pan-Orthodox groups of clergy, monastics, and laity at the annual Marches for Life in Washington, DC and San Francisco this weekend.
The 53rd annual national March for Life was held in DC on Friday, January 23. The Orthodox delegation was led by His Grace Bishop Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church, who was joined by His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, primate of the Orthodox Church in America, and Archbishops Melchisedek and Michael and Bishop Andrei of the OCA, Bishops Alexander and John of the Antiochian Archdiocese, and Bishop Nektarios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, reports the Assembly of Bishops.
The day began with the Divine Liturgy at the OCA’s St. Nicholas Cathedral, followed by a continental breakfast hosted by the cathedral and Orthodox Christians for Life.
Bp. Irinej offered the opening prayer at the rally before the March, asking God to protect unborn children and grant mothers the wisdom and love to bring their children to birth. He also prayed for reconciliation for those who have lost children and entreated God’s blessing for civil authorities who support the cause of life:
Then Met. Tikhon led a moleben for an end to abortion, after which the March began.
On Saturday, January 24, His Grace Bishop Vasily of San Francisco of the Orthodox Church in America led the Orthodox delegation and offered the invocation for the annual Walk for Life West Coast.
He also led an Orthodox prayer service for an end to abortion.
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