Thousands March for Life in Chicago

Source: Diocese of the Midwest (OCA)

January 25, 2016

Fr. John Adamcio, Dn. Thomas Keith, and Fr. Andrew Bartek were among the clergy who participated in the March for Life. (Photo: Regina D’Amico) Fr. John Adamcio, Dn. Thomas Keith, and Fr. Andrew Bartek were among the clergy who participated in the March for Life. (Photo: Regina D’Amico)
    

“The third annual March for Life Chicago was a huge success,” said Priest Andrew Bartek, March for Life Board member and Spiritual Director of Orthodox Christians for Life Chicago, “despite the brutal cold temperatures that hit the Chicago area.” An estimated 5,000 marchers — up from 4,000 in 2015 — turned out for the event on Sunday, January 17, 2016, despite the minus-20 degree wind-chill.

His Grace, Bishop Paul opened the March for Life with a prayer asking God “to enlighten the minds and hearts of those blinded to the truth that life begins at conception.… Be merciful, O Lord, to those who, through ignorance or willfulness, affront Your divine goodness and providence through the evil act of abortion.”

Bishop Paul offers opening prayer before the March. (Photo: Regina D’Amico) Bishop Paul offers opening prayer before the March. (Photo: Regina D’Amico)
Emily Zender, Executive Director of Illinois Right to Life and President of the March for Life Chicago said, “In just its third year running, the March for Life Chicago has continued to grow in size — from 2,000, to 4,000, to a record-breaking 5,000 marchers this year! The marchers filled the city streets of downtown Chicago with a sea of smiling faces, singing, holding yellow balloons and just filled with joy.”

“Orthodox Christian faithful representing several jurisdictions helped make this the most successful pro-life event in the Midwest,” said Father Andrew. “Antiochians, Serbians, Greeks, Carpatho-Russians as well as our own OCA Chicago Deanery, along with pro-Life people from across Illinios, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota and Ohio, were in attendance.

Despite frigid weather, a record 5,000 marchers participated in this year’s March. (Photo: Regina D’Amico) Despite frigid weather, a record 5,000 marchers participated in this year’s March. (Photo: Regina D’Amico)
“It takes close to $20,000.00 and 11 months of planning for this event and, despite the weather, it was successful.” Father Malik Rihani of the Antiochian Archdiocese said. “It is nice to see this large group of people here; especially when we see 80,000 plus sit in a football stadium in the same weather.”

Additional information, video footage and photos can be found at http://illinoisrighttolife.org/the-2016-march-for-life-chicago-a-day-to-remember/.

Diocese of the Midwest (OCA)

1/26/2016

See also
Assembly of Bishops issues common statement on sanctity of life Assembly of Bishops issues common statement on sanctity of life Assembly of Bishops issues common statement on sanctity of life Assembly of Bishops issues common statement on sanctity of life
"We denounce the termination of a life as a response to unwanted pregnancies or as a method of overcoming social and economic challenges. We embrace the mothers and the couples who, in spite of difficulties, choose to bring their pregnancy to term. At the same time, however, we invite those who may have undergone or facilitated an abortion to turn to Christ with contrite hearts, seeking to overcome their grief through His forgiveness, mercy and healing." January 22 March for Life and Sanctify of Life Retreat January 22 March for Life and Sanctify of Life Retreat January 22 March for Life and Sanctify of Life Retreat January 22 March for Life and Sanctify of Life Retreat
Friday, January 22, 2016 marks the 43rd Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in the United States, on which Orthodox Christians from across the country will gather in the US Capital for the annual March for Life or participate in similar regional gatherings. Ongoing 40 Days for Life Campaign Seeks to End Genocide of Abortion Ongoing 40 Days for Life Campaign Seeks to End Genocide of Abortion Ongoing 40 Days for Life Campaign Seeks to End Genocide of Abortion Ongoing 40 Days for Life Campaign Seeks to End Genocide of Abortion
The mission of the 40 Days for Life campaigns is to bring Christians together “with the purpose of repentance, to seek God’s favor to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life, thus bringing an end to abortion,” utilizing the three-pronged peaceful “attack” of prayer and fasting, constant vigil, and community outreach.
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