Dear Faithful Friends, In the early 2000s I met Fr. Stephen Powley from Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry at a church college event and later we served together at the Antiochian Village Adventure camp. Hearing his incredible stories of prison ministry, my eyes were opened to the reality of Matthew 25:36, “I was in prison and you came to Me.” Until that time, I was […]
By Father Stephen In chapter 11 of the Gospel of St. John, we find the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. There were many people standing there, watching what was taking place. Jesus “cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with bandages, […]
Someone in prison once wrote to this ministry and mentioned he was reading Dante’s Inferno. He suggested that perhaps Dante got the inspiration for his book after spending a summer inside a prison. There is a prison in Texas which some people serving time there call The Glass House because the exterior walls are nothing […]
This past Sunday, Orthodox parishes all across the United States took part in Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday. This day of awareness aims to inform Orthodox Christians on the ministerial work being done in prisons and how they can participate. The impact of this ministry is far-reaching and it transforms lives. Fully supported by the Orthodox faithful, we as […]
Before offering some thoughts on how OCPM conducts catechesis for people in prison I would like to take the opportunity to recognize those Orthodox clergy and laity who work tirelessly where they are able to help our brothers and sisters who are incarcerated. Despite their sacrifices there is still a difficulty which must be faced: […]
Sunday July 26, 2020 Prison Ministry Awareness 2020 “Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who suffer evil, as though you yourself were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:3) To the Reverend Clergy, Monastics, and Pious Faithful of our Holy Orthodox Church in the United States: Beloved Brothers and Sisters […]
Confronting the evil of social injustice must be predicated on the understanding that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12). Social injustice is a failure to see […]
by Fr. John Brown These words are familiar to most Orthodox Christians. They come from Psalm 142, are chanted at every Great Vespers, and they can teach those of us with a heart for inmates and prison ministry. The psalmist is describing his own experience of prison. It may have been an actual, physical prison, […]
The Board of Trustees of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM), an agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishop of the United States of America, has announced the appointment of Nicholas Petrogeorge as Executive Director. Board Chairwoman, Eugenia Ordynsky, stated, “We are blessed to have a talent like Mr. Petrogeorge join OCPM as we implement […]
Enter all of you, therefore, into the joy of our Lord, and, whether first or last, receive your reward. O rich and poor, one with another, dance for joy O you ascetics and you negligent, celebrate the day! –Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Resurrection of our Lord […]