Assembly of Bishops appoints July 26, 2026 as Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday
New York, New York—On July 26th hundreds of Orthodox churches across jurisdictions are joining together to share about the importance of prison ministry, but what prison ministry looks like today may surprise you. Orthodox Christian
From wanted to prison ministry: Amanda’s testimony
New York, New York—I am a product of prison ministry. I often try to distance myself from my past; however, I do not want to be like the healed leper who, after he is healed,
OCPM: Meet the monk who transformed his brokenness into ministry
New York, New York—Before Rassophore Monk Michael was called to monasticism and before he was called to prison ministry, Michael struggled with addiction. “A big part of my story is addiction. Before I came to
Remembering faithful in prison this Nativity season
“It felt like the whole world was there to celebrate. There was no time more joyous.” This is Justin’s childhood memory of Divine Liturgy on Pascha at his home church in Philadelphia. But life had
The OCPM Learning Center: Bring the light of Christ to a jail or prison near you
Picture this: you and a few other people from your church are hearing Christ’s call in Matthew 25:36 in a new and deeper way (“…I was in prison, and you came to Me”). With the
“Offer yourself to God as a doer”: Fr. John Chagnon on the universal appeal of prison ministry
Fr. John Chagnon of St. Ignatius Antiochian Orthodox Church in Madison, Wisconsin, has had a heart for people in prison for many years, ever since he personally knew Fr. Duane Pederson, founder of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry.
‘You are nearer to the prison system than you think,’ says Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry
This striking—and sobering—claim opened Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM)’s reflection for Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday, July 27, 2025.
Your Church is Nearer to the Prison System than You Probably Think: A Reflection for Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday on July 27, 2025
When The Prison Policy Initiative, a team of experts on cutting-edge research around the U.S. prison system, released its annual “big picture” report in 2024, one statistic stood out to us more than any other: 113 million adults in the United States have an immediate family member who has been to prison or jail.
“Where Hope Feels Scarce:” A Reflection from Madeline Cano, OCPM Intern
Madeline Cano served as Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry’s first Social Media Intern from 2024-2025. When she was asked to write a culminating essay on her experience, OCPM was so moved by her reflections on the heart of prison ministry that they asked to share her thoughts with the greater community.
