Orthodox Faithful Out in Force at Georgia March for Life

Source: Luke Albanese

ATLANTA — On March 12, in Atlanta, Georgia, multiple Orthodox jurisdictions participated in a procession at the annual March for Life in Atlanta. Prior to the March, Fr. Daniel Iliev, and Dn. Mark King of St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church (ROCOR) held a molieben to the Mother of God at the capitol while the faithful held crosses and banners. A procession around the capital followed the service.

Other parishioners from different Orthodox parishes were present, including Holy Apostles Peter and Paul (Serbian), who helped to supply many of the banners seen at the March. Parishioners from Holy Transfiguration (Greek) and St. Elias (Antiochian), and St. Stephen (Antiochian) were also in attendance.

Georgia state senator Ed Setzler, a parishioner at St. Stephen, gave the opening speech. He spoke about how it was the pro-life community that first got him into politics and inspired him to step outside of his comfort zone.

“I'd been in the Army for a number of years, and I was prepared to go fight in our nation's wars,” he told the crowd. “But putting my name on the ballot was terrifying for me. That wasn’t what folks from my family had ever done.

“What folks like me, who were dads with small kids, without any connections and deep pocketbooks, could do or ever done.  I want to challenge you guys, as you're here today, ask God to do this. Ask God to call you outside of your comfort zone for Him.”

Setzler continued by talking about the Mother of God, and how “the ultimate pro-life decision in all of human history was when the angel Gabriel came before a teenage girl, facing an unexpected choice.”

He explained how she faced a decision at this time that would determine the fate of the world, and how despite her purity she was ridiculed, and viewed as an outcast within her own culture. She had been put in a position in which God had called her outside of her comfort zone.

“Praise God, she said, ‘Behold the maidservant of the Lord.’ She made the ultimate pro-life decision in all of human history. Through that Christ came into this world that we might all be saved and reconciled to God.

“I share that with you because she was called outside of her comfort zone as a teenager. I want to challenge you to be prepared to step outside of your comfort zone. And maybe outside of your comfort zone to even be here today.”

Setzler concluded his speech with a prayer:

“Our Heavenly Father, You’re the giver of all good things. I thank You for those that came here today. I pray that Your spirit would move where two or more gathered in Your name, there You are with them. I thank You for bringing them here today.

“And I just pray, Lord God, that You would move the hearts of every person here that would draw nearer to You, because Your desire to draw nearer to them would transform them and You would have them to move. Lord, we pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”

In January, the UOJ reported on Orthodox Christians' participation in the March for Life in Washington, D.C.

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