Blog posts and original articles
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: […]
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, […]
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 […]
A true example of Orthodoxy recently passed away. Born George Raptopoulos, people called Father Gervasios “the priest of the poor,” “angel for the sons of the prodigal son,” and the “saint of prisoners” as he had an impact on countless lives all over the globe. The Orthodox Times notes that since 1987, Father Gervasios’ Ministry […]
As we continue through Great & Holy Lent, we wanted to provide you with some inspirational updates from our ministry. We would like to welcome our newest volunteer, Jim Demetrios, to the OCPM! Jim has started corresponding with those in jails and prisons across the United States. The challenge of writing to prisoners extends beyond […]
In Matthew 5:44-45, Jesus gave us a radical command “love your enemies; bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and […]
During this Lenten season we as Orthodox Christians can choose either to be like the Pharisees of old and be comfortable in our self-righteousness, or we can be like Saint Moses of Ethiopia or St Mary of Egypt and be humble and lowly even as Christ was humble and lowly. We cannot enter into the […]
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Our ministry would like to share with you this powerful letter we received. It is written by an individual who is currently incarcerated and corresponds with our ministry. We want to highlight the impact that even a small act can have on someone who is far removed from society. […]
Monday, November 29th, I received the best Christmas gift I could ever possibly receive. I was in Home Depot ordering a new blind for our parish hall when I suddenly heard the voice of a lady behind me exclaim, “Joy!” I turned around and as she drew closer to me, I looked deep into her […]