On Wednesday, January 22, representatives from St. Tikhon's Seminary drove to Washington, DC to join with tens of thousands of people of all ages from across the United States for the annual March for Life event.  The March for Life is the single largest pro-life event in the world, and it is one that the St. Tikhon’s Community has participated in since the very first march 41 years ago.  Bishop Demetrios (Kantzavelos) gave the opening invocation for the pre-March rally, being joined on stage by Orthodox Clergy from the various orthodox jurisdictions. Representing the Orthodox Church in America were His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, His Grace Bishop Michael, His Grace Bishop Mark, and His Grace Bishop Melchisedek.

During the talks prior to the March, the speakers had encouraging and positive things to say about this year's theme, "Adoption: A Noble Decision." Many of the speakers lives have been touched by adoption and they encouraged the crowd to think about ways that we can all be more supportive of adoption as a choice for women who might otherwise choose abortion.

The Orthodox delegation marched with thousands of other supporters through the snow from the National Mall to the Supreme Court Building. At the conclusion of the March, a panikhida was held for the estimated 55 million people who have lost their lives through abortion.

Graciously carrying the school's new banner through the pressing crowds were seminarians Joel Brady, Michael Danhofer, Khader Baramki, Kevin Mellis, Basil Kuriakose, Timothy Winegar, Fr. Bitty Mathew, and Michael Pierce. Also in attendance were Fr. John Kowalczyk, Fr. David Shewczyk, Dr. David Ford, Fr. and Mat. Joseph and Charlotte Woodill, Gabriel Monforte, and Christopher and Leslie Patton, as well as other representatives from each of the seminaries, their families, friends, loved ones, as well as a large representation from various parish communities throughout the East Coast.

Additional coverage of the event, including interviews of memebers of the St. Tikhon's Community can be found here.