Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM) would like to formally thank the thousands of Orthodox Christians that recognized Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday (PMAS) on July 30, 2023. Priests and lay leadership across the United States took this special opportunity to share stories of prison ministry and why it is so important to serve our brothers and […]
After an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting, Bob Born was asked if he would like to also volunteer at the first faith-based prison unit in the United States, the Carol Vance Unit in Texas. He was reluctant at first, but he said ‘yes’ anyway. Now, after connecting with the founder of OCPM, Fr. Duane Pederson, his […]
OCPM Thanks Elsie Skvir Ganister Foundation Fund for Supporting Reentry New York, NY. (September 1, 2023) Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM) is thrilled to announce and extend our heartfelt gratitude to Elsie Skvir Ganister Foundation Fund for their generous support of $1,250. Elsie Skvir Ganister Foundation Fund’s contribution will significantly enhance our efforts of providing […]
Michael Kosanovich was a Special Agent for the FBI and was promoted to FBI headquarters to work International Terrorism matters just prior to the 9/11 attacks in Washington D.C. and New York. In 2003 Michael was assigned to Chicago as a Terrorism Supervisor and in 2010 was promoted to the number two position in the […]
Below is the last installment of our four-part series of journal entries from OCPM’s Prison Relationship Manager during his internship with OCPM and St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (STOTS). If you haven’t already, make sure to read Part One and Part Two and Part Three of Toby John’s Prison Ministry Journal. March 22 This day was significantly different from […]
The Assembly of Bishops has blessed July 30, 2023 as Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday (PMAS), when hundreds of Orthodox Christian churches of all jurisdictions across the United States will recognize and share about the importance of prison ministry for the life of the Church. To help get us into PMAS spirit, enjoy this beautiful testimony […]
Below is Part Three in a new four-part series of journal entries from OCPM’s Prison Relationship Manager during his internship with OCPM and St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (STOTS). If you haven’t already, make sure to read Part One and Part Two of Toby John’s Prison Ministry Journal. Tuesday, February 28 – March 1, 2023 […]
OCPM recently held a staff retreat in Pennsylvania. We had the privilege of visiting with seminarians, along with the Dean at St. Tikhon’s Seminary and the Abbott at St. Tikhon’s Monastery. We also visited SCI Waymart, a nearby prison, escorted by Fr. John Kowalczyk and Fr. Stephen Powley, Co-Directors of Training and Spiritual Care at […]
Below is Part Two in a new four-part series of journal entries from OCPM’s Prison Relationship Manager during his internship with OCPM and St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (STOTS). If you haven’t already, make sure to read Part One of Toby John’s Prison Journal. Friday, February 10 On this day, we began to hold Vespers […]
“This was the first time I have ever gone to visit a prison.” When Toby John, (MDiv St. Vladimir’s Seminary, Master of Social Work UT Arlington ) was hired this past year as OCPM’s new Prison Relationship Manager, he also became the first person to pilot a new Certificate in Prison Ministry program, created in […]