January 19, 2020, will be observed as “Sanctity of Life Sunday” in parishes of the Orthodox Church in America. Special liturgical petitions and prayers are available on the Prayers for Orthodox Christians page and in PDF format. A message from His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon for Sanctity of Life Sunday will be available early next week for download.

The day serves as a prelude to the annual March for Life marking the 48th Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion in the United States, in the US Capital on Friday, January 24. As in past years, Orthodox Christians from across the country will gather to proclaim the sanctity of God’s precious gift of life and to remember the millions of victims abortion has claimed over the past four decades.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon will lead a delegation of bishops, clergy, monastics, seminarians and faithful from the Orthodox Church in America as they join other Orthodox Christian bishops, clergy, and faithful participating in the annual March for Life.

Events on Friday, January 24 will begin with the Divine Liturgy at 8:30 am at Saint Nicholas Cathedral celebrated by His Grace Bishop Daniel of Santa Rosa. Following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy marchers will make their way to the National Mall for the pre-March rally and March. The pre-March rally will begin at noon at 12th St. on the National Mall. Among those scheduled to address the rally will be His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia, of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, who will offer a prayer on behalf of the Assembly of Bishops.  At the conclusion of the rally, Metropolitan Tikhon will preside at a prayer service for those who have fallen victim to abortion.