Strong Orthodox Christian presence at annual DC March for Life

March for Life

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, together with Their Graces, Bishops Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, Melchisedek of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, Michael of New York and New Jersey, and Matthias of Chicago and the Midwest led hundreds of Orthodox Christian clergy, faithful, and seminarians at the 39th annual March for Life here Monday, January 23, 2012.

According to Archpriest John Kowalczyk, a pro-life activist and co-founder of the Orthodox presence at the annual gathering, “this was the biggest Orthodox participation ever in the history of the March.”

Metropolitan Jonah spoke at the pre-March program and offered prayers for the opening invocation. At the conclusion of every petition, thousands responded with a heartfelt and enthusiastic “Lord, have mercy!”  Marchers then proceeded up Constitution Avenue to the US Supreme Court, where a Memorial was celebrated for the victims of abortion.

The March was broadcast live on the Eternal Word Television Network [EWTN], which will rebroadcast its extensive coverage at 2:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 28.  Check local listings for possible variations.

A photo gallery of the March for Life can be viewed here.

A video taken at the March for Life can be viewed here.