Metropolitan Tikhon leads Orthodox Christian witness at DC March for Life
Orthodox Christian hierarchs, clergy, seminarians and faithful of all ages joined tens of thousands of pro-lifers from across the nation for the annual March for Life in the US capital on Friday, January 25, 2013.
His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, led the faithful from the Ellipse to the steps of the Supreme Court in witness to the sanctity of life 40 years and three days after Roe v. Wade legalized abortion in the United States.
Joining Metropolitan Tikhon were His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate; His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West; His Eminence, Archbishop Nikon of Boston, New England and the Albanian Archdiocese; His Grace, Bishop Melchisedek of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, and Locum Tenens of the Diocese of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania; and His Grace, Bishop Michael of New York and New York and New Jersey.
Students from Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, South Canaan, PA and Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Crestwood, NY, were among the many Orthodox Christians who sang hymns and carried icons during the March.
Metropolitan Tikhon addressed the marchers, who made their way up Constitution Avenue to the US Supreme Court, and offered prayers for the victims of abortion.
On the eve of the event, marchers gathered at Saint Nicholas Cathedral for the celebration of Great Vespers and a reception.
“Orthodox Christians have participated in the March for four decades,” said Archpriest John Kowalczyk, a pro-life activist and co-founder of the Orthodox presence at the annual gathering. “The presence of our hierarchs, clergy, seminarians, and faithful—especially the youth of our Church—stands as a witness to the sacred gift of life that continues to be challenged in our land.”
The March was held on the eve of weekend celebrations marking the Enthronement of Metropolitan Tikhon as the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America January 26-27.
Eternal Word Television Network [EWTN] broadcasted the March live. Check local listings for rebroadcasts.
A photo gallery of the March for Life can be viewed on the OCA web site and OCA Facebook page.
Additional information will be posted as it is received.