Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM)

08/09/2026

"Six men were baptized into Christ July 11th 2026 at Michael Durfee Prison in Springfield SD and are now members of His Holy Catholic Orthodox Church... I cannot adequately express the glorious event and joy of that momentous occasion. These men prepared themselves with genuine repentance, prayer and study... May Christ our God through the prayers of His most holy mother and their patron saints strengthen them, encourage them and cause them to be true witnesses of Jesus Christ our Lord to those in need around them." - OCPM Clergy Corps Priest

The OCPM Clergy Corps is a team of Orthodox priests and deacons committed to visiting people in prisons and jails near them. The Clergy Corps provides visitation, pastoral counseling, and the Holy Sacraments.

Are you, or do you know, clergy ready to get involved in prison ministry? Let us know by writing in to [email protected]

08/06/2026

"You were transfigured on the Mount, Christ God revealing Your glory to Your disciples, insofar as they could comprehend. Illuminate us, sinners also, with Your everlasting light, through the intercessions of the Theotokos. Giver of light, glory to You."

Apolytikion of the Transfiguration of our Lord

08/03/2026

Have you ever seen—or even heard of—an Orthodox baptism taking place inside a prison?

For most of us, the answer is probably no.

For the past three years, our Certificate Program students have been blessed with the opportunity to witness a baptism at SCI Waymart on the final day of their residency.

At first glance, it may look different from the baptisms many of us are accustomed to seeing. But in every way that matters, it is the same. Surrounded by His Eminence Archbishop Michael, the clergy and staff of St. Tikhon's Seminary, the staff of SCI Waymart, and fellow incarcerated men, each baptism is a powerful reminder: there is no place beyond the reach of Christ's love.

07/31/2026

Some behind-the-scenes footage of filming for the OCPM Learning center.... COMING SOON!

The OCPM Learning center will be a place volunteers and churches can access in-person and virtual training on prison ministry best practices, delivered by experts with decades of experience at every level of prison security.

Stay tuned for more updates!

07/28/2026

Another successful Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday thanks to all those who participated!

Thank you for supporting our mission and remembering those in prison.

07/26/2026

TODAY is Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday!

As the national prison ministry of the Orthodox Church, we are entirely funded through parish and individual support. We are so thankful to all of those who have participated today and every day - we can't do this work without you.

BUT, it's never too late to get involved or support our mission! Head to our website to learn more.

07/23/2026

"This book provides real world examples of forgiveness and an applicable means to move toward forgiveness as a slow process. People experiences differ and sometimes forgiveness is hard. Suffer With You helps soften the reader’s heart to accept the suffering as Christ is with us in our suffering and helps us to forgive." - Jaden Emerson

It has been a joy and blessing to read and hear your reviews of Suffer With You and to learn about the impact this book has on your lives. We are so thankful for the support.

07/21/2026

07/20/2026

Ever wondered why St. Silas is known as the patron of Prison Ministry?

Saint Silas (commemorated on July 30th) was a companion and fellow labourer of the Apostle Paul: "And Paul chose Silas and departed...and he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches" (Acts 15:40-41).

In the city of Philippi they were accused of inciting unrest among the people, and for this, they were arrested, beaten with rods, and then thrown into prison. At midnight, when the saints were at prayer, suddenly there was a strong earthquake, their chains fell off from them and the doors of the prison opened. The prison guard, supposing that the prisoners had fled, wanted to kill himself, but was stopped by the Apostle Paul. Then, he fell down trembling at the feet of the saints, and with faith accepted their preaching about Christ.

Therefore, every July on the Sunday nearest the feast of St. Silas, we have Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday. On this day, we think about the example St. Silas set for us to answer Christ's call to visit Him in prison, and how we can follow his lead.

Are you ready to answer the call?

Head to our website to learn more.

07/20/2026

“I was experiencing hell on earth. I felt completely separated from God. I was Portland's fugitive of the week. I was sleeping in alleyways and giving fake names to police officers because of a warrant out for my arrest.”

This is Amanda’s story. While sitting in jail awaiting a prison sentence, she attended Bible studies just to get out of “the pod.”

“My first encounter with an Orthodox chaplain was different. She said she was a member of the Antiochian Orthodox Church. I requested a one-on-one session with her, and to this day I am forever changed. She gave me my first glimpse of the pure love of Jesus, reflected to me through another human being.”

Now, Amanda is an Orthodox Christian and a college graduate. Through Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM) that helped to save her life, she is training to become a volunteer prison ministry chaplain.

This Sunday, July 26, is Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry Sunday. Read Amanda’s story and get involved at https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/2860.