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Beyond the Bars Blog

Breaking Free From Prison

Christ is Risen!  Every Pascha, Orthodox Christians around the world venerate the Paschal icon of the Lord storming hades and breaking the chains of death. That icon provides a visual reminder of a spiritual reality – something that has happened and continues to happen for everyone who sincerely repents and cries out to Christ for […]

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Beyond the Bars Blog

Adjusting to Life After Prison

Greg is a former prisoner who was recently released to perform his parole in a small town in California. Like all prisoners, freedom and reintegration into society was disorienting. Nevertheless, one of the first things he did in freedom was look for an Orthodox parish.   “I was still unfamiliar with the bus routes and schedules […]

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Beyond the Bars Blog

Would you be ready to greet a released felon?

After serving six years in prison, Greg was a free man. But freedom did not mean that the “residue” of prison life was suddenly gone. He would need months, perhaps even years, to fully adjust to life on the outside. For one thing, he still felt deeply ashamed of the crime he had committed and […]

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Beyond the Bars Blog

Finding the Ancient Church Behind Bars

“In my somewhat limited study of Orthodox theology so far, I have come to realize that because God the Father cannot be understood or fathomed by the limited human mind, any understanding of God that I receive by my own power is idolatry and heresy. I can only understand God the Father by what is […]

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A Prisoner’s Attitude of Gratitude

by Fr. Luke A. Veronis  Fr. Luke A. Veronis and his wife Presbytera Faith have served Sts. Constantine and Helen Church since December 2004. Fr. Luke also serves as the Director for the Missions Institute of Orthodox Christianity, which is located at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and teaches as an Adjunct Instructor at both Holy Cross […]

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Beyond the Bars Blog

Honoring the Ministry of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2021

Every year we observe Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in honor of the civil rights leader’s achievements in advancing racial equality through non-violent protest. Dr. King’s peaceful approach, inspired by Christ and the teachings of the Holy Bible, revolutionized this nation and its trajectory.  Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry honors his legacy and all those […]

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Beyond the Bars Blog

Happy New Year from Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry!

Happy New Year!  Despite the immense challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and a generally hectic 2020, your prayers and financial support allowed Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry to adapt and continue to minister to those who are incarcerated and their families.  Fr. John Kowalczyk, Director of Field Education Studies at St. Tikhon’s Seminary, federal corrections […]

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Beyond the Bars Blog

Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

A Nativity message from Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry and an inspirational story from Fr. Stephen Powley.

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Beyond the Bars Blog

How COVID-19 Affects the Future of Prison Ministry

Fr. John Kowalczyk is the Director of Field Education Studies at St. Tikhon’s Seminary, Contract Chaplain at the SCI Waymart facility in Pennsylvania, and member of the Board of Trustees of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry. In our recent blog post, Fr. John helped shed some light on the current situation in prisons and jails due […]

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A Thanksgiving Message from Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We would like to wish you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving! Amidst this difficult and challenging year, we still have so much for us to be grateful for this Thanksgiving season. Orthodox Christian […]