Source: Orthodox Church in America
WASHINGTON, DC [OCA]
On January 23–24, 2025, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon participated in the annual March for Life events in Washington, DC.
On the morning of Thursday, January 23, Metropolitan Tikhon met with Ms. Emily Yocum (Wilkinson), President and Executive Director of Orthodox Christians for Life, and Ms. Sophia Lyda, Program Coordinator, at the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America in Springfield, VA. Their discussion covered various topics, including the long-term goals of Orthodox Christians for Life, educational initiatives, and ongoing pro-life ministries. At the conclusion of the meeting, His Beatitude was presented with an icon of the Holy Innocents.
Later that evening, Metropolitan Tikhon attended the opening Mass for the National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. He was joined by His Grace Bishop John of Worcester of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, the appointed representative for the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the United States, His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey, His Grace Bishop Andrei of Cleveland and the Romanian Episcopate, and Archpriest Alessandro Margheritino, Acting Chancellor and Secretary of the Orthodox Church in America. Following the service, His Beatitude hosted the visiting hierarchs for dinner.
On Friday, January 24, the Orthodox gathering at the March for Life began at 11:30 AM on the National Mall. His Beatitude and the other hierarchs were welcomed to the stage for the invocation which was followed by a number of addresses by representatives of the March for Life, the Vice President, Governors, the Speaker of the House, and other guests. His Beatitude then led the Orthodox clergy and faithful in a Service of Supplication for an End to Abortion before proceeding with the March.
Also present were Fr. John Parker, Dean of St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Hieromonk Vasily (Permiakov), Assistant Professor of Liturgical Theology at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, along with seminarians representing both seminaries.