Russian Orthodox Churches Hold Nationwide Moleben Against Abortion
Russian Orthodox churches nationwide held a moleben on January 11 to pray for repentance and raise awareness about the spiritual consequences of abortion.
MOSCOW — On Sunday, January 11, Russian Orthodox churches nationwide conducted their first coordinated moleben aimed at enlightening those considering abortion. The date coincides with the Church’s commemoration of the 14,000 infant martyrs slain by Herod in Bethlehem.
The service text, approved by the Russian Orthodox Synod on December 26, 2025, includes prayers asking that those contemplating abortion may come to repentance and recognize the value of unborn life. Participating churches across various dioceses conducted the service, with some distributing leaflets on Christian teachings regarding motherhood and the spiritual consequences of abortion.
Metr. Ambrose of Tver emphasized that “every embryo from the moment of conception has DNA and a heartbeat.” Archpriest Vladimir Kolosov recalled the Soviet-era legalization of abortion under Lenin, while Metr. Nikodim of Novosibirsk called for lives of prayer and service for those who have had abortions. Metr. George of Nizhny Novgorod said the moleben aims to heal the “sin of child-killing” affecting Russian society.
Previously, the UOJ reported that abortion is the global leading cause of death.
