Orthodox bishops lead a prayer at March for Life in Washington

Eight hierarchs represented the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States at the March for Life in Washington. Photo: Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America (OCA)

Orthodox bishops took an active part in the annual March for Life in Washington, leading a common prayer from the event’s main stage. According to the organizers, the march in the U.S. capital gathered around 10,000 people and became part of a nationwide wave of pro-life actions held across America in those days. The basilica.ro website reported this.

Those gathered were addressed in prayer by Bishop Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church (of Washington, New York, and Eastern America). In his remarks he especially emphasized the value of a mother’s love and society’s responsibility to protect unborn children.

“Let no unborn child be cut off from a mother’s love. Let the womb not become a tomb,” the hierarch said, offering prayer for mothers and their children.

On the March for Life stage, together with Bishop Irinej, were representatives of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States (ACOB-US), as well as the Roman Catholic Bishop of Lincoln, James Conley. Hierarchs of the Greek, Antiochian, and Serbian Churches and the Orthodox Church in America also took part – including Metropolitan Tikhon of All America and Canada.

On the eve of the march, Orthodox bishops participated in the National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and on the day of the event they celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Washington.

Politicians and public figures also spoke at the March for Life – including U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance – as well as women who shared personal testimonies in defense of life. Video messages to participants were sent by Pope Leo XIV and U.S. President Donald Trump.

The March for Life in Washington was held for the 53rd time. In recent years the movement has expanded significantly – similar actions took place in more than 20 U.S. cities. In particular, the day after the Washington march, a pro-life procession was held in San Francisco, where the event took place for the 22nd time.

As the UOJ wrote earlier, more than 73 million abortions were recorded last year – exceeding the number of deaths from all other causes combined.

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