on the nation's capital on Monday, January 23, 2006, to bear
witness to the sanctity of life at the annual March for Life.
His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, and His Grace, Bishop
Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, led the
marchers to the steps of the US Supreme Court, where they
offered prayers for the countless victims of legalized abortion.
On the eve of the March, Metropolitan Herman and some 200
faithful gathered at the OCA's Saint Nicholas Cathedral
on Massachusetts Ave. for the celebration of Vespers.
Metropolitan Herman offered the marchers words of
encouragement and distributed prints of the icon of
the Mother of God, the Joy of All Who Sorrow, especially
printed to mark the OCA's 2006 Right to Life Sunday.
Immediately before the march, the Very Rev. John Kowalczyk,
a noted pro-life activist, introduced Metropolitan Herman
to the tens of thousands of assembled marchers. In a stirring
address, Metropolitan Herman challenged the marchers to proclaim
that all life is a sacred gift from God while lamenting the deaths
of millions of unborn children who fell victim to abortion on demand
since the practice was legalized some three decades ago.
On the evening of the march, Metropolitan Herman also addressed
nearly 800 pro-life notables from across the US at the annual Rose Dinner.
This year marks the 19th consecutive year that Metropolitan Herman
has addressed the marchers and led them in witnessing to the sanctity
of life.
Metropolitan Herman addressed the marchers for the 19th consecutive year.
Metropolitan Herman and Bishop Tikhon with some of the clergy and
faithful who participated in the March.
This was perhaps the largest March as of yet. Hopefully next year
we may have a Victory March, as the world begins to
recognize the horror which is abortion - and demands that the
government respect the life of the unborn.