Antiochian Clergy and Faithful Participate in 2017 March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Antiochian seminarians join Bishop John at the 2017 March for Life (photo: The V. Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield)His Grace Bishop John, Diocese of Worcester and New England, reports:

The Orthodox Church was well represented at the 44th annual March for Life in the nation's capital on Friday, January 27, 2017. The theme of this year's March was "The Power of One." Included in the March were Orthodox Christian hierarchs and a large number of clergy, seminarians, and faithful at the annual gathering, during which they witnessed to God's gift of life and the need to speak out on behalf of the unborn.

On Thursday evening, January 26, His Grace, Bishop John of Worcester for the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America assisted by Fr. Nicholas Alford, OCA Metropolitan Tikhon, His Eminence, Archbishop Melchisedek; His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel; His Grace, Bishop Dimitrios of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago; and Bishop Maxim of the Serbian Church, attended the Vigil celebrated at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which was filled to capacity. Representatives of the Oriental Orthodox Church also were present.

Metropolitan Tikhon observed that the March provides an opportunity to join with others—including the many young people present—in sharing a “message of hope for the world.” He also spoke of the cooperative efforts by the Orthodox, the Oriental Orthodox, and the Roman Catholics, with regard to their “common witness” in “demonstrating a common understanding” of God’s gift of life.