Orthodox Pro-Life Vigils in New York Mark Years of Prayer and Outreach
Orthodox Christians Pro-Life continues monthly prayer services, celebrating lives saved and closures of local abortion centers.
The following is a press release shared with UOJ-America by Orthodox Christians Pro-Life.
BRONX, NY — Last Friday, March 20, the Orthodox Christians Pro-Life movement in New York — acting as St. John the Forerunner Orthodox Pro-Life Society — held its traditional monthly prayer service outside an abortuary. During the event, participants received yet another testimony of a life saved.
This particular prayer service took place outside a Planned Parenthood facility in the Bronx, New York. Such services have been held regularly for more than five years, beginning in January 2021. Most of them, including this most recent one, have been led by His Eminence Archbishop Michael of the Orthodox Church in America.
In his homily, Abp. Michael reflected on the Feast of the Annunciation as “the ultimate pro-life movement,” reminding the faithful that “today is the beginning of our salvation” — a salvation, he said, “that begins in the silence of the womb.”
One of the most remarkable outcomes of these efforts has been the closure of three abortion facilities: two Planned Parenthood centers and one private clinic that was among the oldest abortion providers in the country.
In 2024, Planned Parenthood closed its center on Staten Island. As a result, the entire borough is now free from this abortion chain. Prior to the closure, St. John’s Pro-Life Society held both an educational event and a prayer service at that location, led by Abp. Michael.
Also in 2024, another facility — Bronx Abortion on Eastchester Road — ceased “terminations” and closed its doors. Although it was not affiliated with Planned Parenthood, it was one of the oldest abortion providers in the nation, having opened in 1969, even before abortion was legalized in New York in 1970. Orthodox Christians had previously served a moleben (a prayer service) for an end to abortion at this location. The service was led by Fr. Mark Hodges, who traveled from Ohio to participate in pro-life outreach in New York.
In 2025, Planned Parenthood closed its Manhattan center, one of its most prominent facilities. Its history dates back to the early activities of Margaret Sanger, the organization’s founder, known for her racism and support for eugenics. St. John’s Pro-Life Society held multiple events at this location as well, led by Abp. Michael, as well as by Abbot Zosimas (Krampis) of ROCOR, and including reader-led services.
Members of Orthodox Christians Pro-Life believe that their prayers have been answered. How else, they ask, can one explain the decline of the abortion industry in New York City — the only city in the United States that directly funds abortion services?
At the same time, they acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of others who have stood for the protection of unborn life outside these now-closed facilities — Roman Catholics, various Protestant communities, and secular pro-life groups. Still, they affirm their belief that their prayers, offered as the Church established by God, were answered.
At last Friday’s service in the Bronx, Abp. Michael was joined by Fr. Micah Breland of his diocese. Watch these short videos from the event:
Father Micah talks about his motivation
Orthodox chants on the streets of the Bronx
Outreach outside Planned Parenthood
Several moving moments were shared from the event. One passerby told participants that she had chosen to keep her baby “because of you guys.” Whether she was referring specifically to the Orthodox Christian group or to pro-life advocates more broadly is unclear — but the impact of public witness was evident.
Another story was shared by the event’s participant. She once overheard a conversation between a young woman and an older woman, likely her mother during one of the previous prayer services. Pointing to a sign depicting the reality of abortion, the older woman said, “Look, this is what you are going to do to your baby.” Sometime later, the same two women passed by another pro-life gathering of the St. John’s Society — and this time, the young woman was holding an infant in her arms.
These testimonies serve as a reminder that public witness can — and does — save lives.
To participate in upcoming services, contact St. John the Forerunner Orthodox Pro-Life Society at 917-428-3560 or [email protected]. Those outside New York can also fill out a form to begin a similar initiative in their own city.
To support the work of the St. John the Forerunner Orthodox Pro-Life Society, donations can be mailed to:
33 Hewitt Avenue, Bronxville, NY 10708.
Online donations are also accepted through GiveSendGo and PayPal.
Venmo and Cash App: OCProLife.
Previously, the UOJ reported that the Trump administration ended abortion funding abroad.
