To all the Clergy and the Laity of the Holy Orthodox Churches in the United States:

Christ is in our midst!

The Hierarchs of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops have blessed the Sunday before the feast of St. Silas (the patron of prison ministry) to be Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday in all US Orthodox parishes.

This is an incredibly important day of awareness for our ministry and we want to help you make the most of it by providing the following the resources in this packet.

America’s tragically high incarceration rate (2.3 million) means that—chances are—more than one parishioner has been touched by a person serving time in prison. OCPM introduces prisoners to the fullness of the Orthodox faith. And we help Orthodox who have been convicted of crimes to return to the Orthodox faith and find healing and reconciliation.

But we can’t do it without the support of our parishes.

Please help us fulfill the commandment of our Lord to visit Him in prison (Matthew 25:36) by participating in this vital day of awareness.

After passing a tray for the ongoing work of your parish, we humbly ask that you please pass a second tray on Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday, July 25th, and send these generous gifts to OCPM.

In Christ,