Assembly of Bishops Blesses July 25 "Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday"

MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT:

Amal Morcos (973-714-0510)

(New York, NY; June, 2021) The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops has blessed July 25, 2021 to be “Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday.” This is an important day for Orthodox parishes across the U.S. to recognize the work of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM), the national prison ministry of the Orthodox Church and an agency of the Assembly of Bishops.

There are Orthodox prisoners trying to practice their faith in prison and are in need of healing and reconciliation. There are non-Orthodox prisoners who are ready to repent of their crimes and embrace the fullness of the Orthodox faith. OCPM ministers to both types of prisoner with a complete library of books, icons, newsletters, and catechism correspondence courses that convey the history, doctrine, and tradition of the Orthodox faith. OCPM corresponds with thousands of prisoners, answering their questions about Orthodoxy and speaking personally to their particular situation.

OCPM also trains Orthodox priests and laypeople to enter prisons and minister directly to prisoners. Crucially, OCPM advocates prison systems across the country to recognize the Orthodox faith as a religious denomination. Without this recognition, Orthodox priests cannot enter prisons and administer the sacraments and the saints.

OCPM has published on its website a complete promotional package to help parishes celebrate this important day with bulletin inserts and suggested homilies. The full package can be downloaded here: www.theocpm.org.

Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM) is the national prison ministry of the Orthodox Church and an agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops. Our mission is to serve those who are incarcerated and their families, and provide resources, training and support to our ministry partners so that lives are transformed and God is glorified. For Orthodox Christians who have been arrested for crimes, OCPM helps them return to the Faith, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with Christ. For both Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike, OCPM provides spiritual care, enabling prisoners to find hope and purpose in their lives.

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