New York, September 23, 2025
Photo: Orthodox Christians Pro-Life
St. John the Forerunner Orthodox Pro-Life Society, a nonprofit organization, regularly holds prayer vigils outside abortion facilities in New York City, at least once a month.
His Eminence Archbishop Michael of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) has played a central role in these efforts. He was the first hierarch to lead the molebens and continues to serve them frequently. In addition, he generously allowed Orthodox Christians Pro-Life to use the mailing address of his diocese as their official postal address—an important sign of support for the nonprofit’s ministry.
On September 13, Fr. William Bennett, a priest of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese (ACROD), led a prayer service outside a Planned Parenthood “clinic” in Queens, NY.
Two months earlier, on July 5, Archbishop Michael himself had served a moleben at the same location, during which a young man attempted to disrupt the prayers. The man left only when police arrived on the scene.
Abp. Michael remained composed throughout the incident, setting an example of focus in prayer. In his homily afterward, he recalled attending the recent canonization celebrations of Matushka Olga in Alaska, highlighting her witness to life.
Watch the video of Archbishop Michael’s sermon.
The Queens Planned Parenthood location had until recently been closed on Saturdays, but last fall it began weekend operations. As a result, the society now holds regular Saturday prayer vigils there. The disruption in July did not deter them from gathering again in September.
Here are a few videos from the September 13 service:
On the same day as the July 5 vigil, and with the blessing of Abp. Michael, diocesan institutions began offering charitable support to Mama K., a mother assisted by St. John the Forerunner Orthodox Pro-Life Society. She first reached out to the nonprofit over two years ago when pregnant with twin boys. Having since relocated from Arizona to New York, she was accepted into a housing assistance program.
Photo: Orthodox Christians Pro-Life
In December, Mama K. attended a vigil outside Planned Parenthood in Manhattan, where her four children received Christmas gifts and other aid.
Watch the video: Archbishop Michael and Mama K.’s children
St. John the Forerunner Orthodox Pro-Life Society expressed gratitude to Zoe for Life! Southern Tier, Matushka Marge Kappanadze, Holy Trinity Church in East Meadow, and Matushka Dennise Kraus for their support of Mama K.
Soon after Mama K. attended the Manhattan vigil, that Planned “Parenthood” “clinic” was shut down, and its property was put up for sale. This location had been one of the largest in the network. For years, Orthodox Christians had prayed there — and many see the closure as an answer to those prayers.
Separately, another abortion ‘clinic’ in the Bronx was closed soon after Fr. Mark Hodges led an Orthodox prayer vigil there.
Other clergy have also joined these efforts. In April, Fr. Alexander Revyuk of the OCA led a moleben outside a Brooklyn “clinic.” In May, Abbot Zosimas (Krampis) of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) led a moleben outside the ParkMed abortion “facility” in Manhattan, returning there again in August.
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, PayPal.
Venmo and Cash App: OCProLife.
Contact information:
Tel.: 917-428-3560
Email
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