Students Complete Certificate Program in Prison Ministry
Photo: Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry - Facebook
SOUTH CANAAN, PA — Students participating in OCPM’s Certificate Program for Prison Ministry recently graduated after a residency on the campus of St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.
Meeting together online since February, the students come together in person for a summer session at the seminary.
According to OCPM’s website, the program “provides clergy and lay volunteers that are interested in prison ministry with the necessary knowledge and experience to effectively lead and support people in prison.”
OCPM and St. Tikhon’s Seminary partner together to ensure participants develop an Orthodox approach to the unique challenges faced in correctional settings, and, besides gaining experience, the certificate allows graduates to find volunteer or career opportunities in correctional facilities.
The seminary is close to a state prison where seminarians participate in a semester-long internship under the direction of Fr. John Kowalczyk.
The program is split up into five categories:
- Introduction to Religion in the Prison Landscape
- The Broken Person
- Pastoral Care in Correctional Settings
- Family and Parish Trauma from Incarceration
- Self-Care and Burnout Prevention
The residency took place from June 1-7, with students entering the prison daily as volunteers. They “make rounds, have short Bible studies, and practice the ministry of presence, talking with inmates, praying with them, and learning from them,” OCPM’s website states.
Instructors of the course are the Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Powley and the Very Rev. Fr. John Kowalczyk. Guest instructors are the Very Rev. Fr. John Parker and Nicholas Petrogeorge.
“We are thankful for our ongoing partnership with OCPM and pray that the Lord will bless and guide these faithful servants as they minister to those in prison,” the seminary said in a social media post.
Previously, UOJ shared a blog post from OCPM on baptism in prison.
Read also
Abp. Alexei: How to Pray as a Family
"If a family prays together," His Eminence said, "the household becomes a little tower in that vineyard."
Pat. Bartholomew Honors U.S. Traditions, Greek Heritage in Washington Visit
Bartholomew lays wreath at Arlington, meets with U.S. leaders, and blesses faithful in Virginia.
Police Return Relics of St. Raphael to St. Vladimir's Seminary
Yonkers officers, K9 unit honored with blessing and thanksgiving at the seminary.
Conference to Celebrate 100 Years of ROCOR in Germany
The event will take place from May 6-8, 2026 at the historic Blutenburg Castle near St. Job of Pochaev Monastery near Munich.
Patriarch of Alexandria Baptizes 100 in Madagascar
During his homily, Theodore II called baptism “the new birth of man."
Patriarch of Jerusalem Meets with President of Turkey
Theophilos III met with Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Constantinople. The following day, back in Jerusalem, Theophilos granted an audience to (among others) Abp. Nathanael of the Ethiopian Church in Jerusalem.