A working visit of the Acting Chairman of the Synodal Department for Prison Ministry, Priest Kirill Markovsky, to Ryazan Metropolis took place.
The head of the Synodal Department was accompanied by the Secretary of the Department, Sergei Arkhipov, the head of the group organizing work with believers of the Department of Education for Social and Psychological Services.
On the working trip, the head of the Synodal Division was accompanied by Sergei Arkhipov, secretary of the Division, Sergei Gurov, head of the group for organizing work with believers of the Department of Educational, Social and Psychological Work of the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service, Nikolai Kutakov, assistant head of the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service in the Ryazan region for organizing work with believers, and Hegumen Joasaph (Sorokin), assistant head of SIZO-1 of the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service in the Ryazan region.
On the first day of the visit, Priest Kirill Markovsky met with Alexander Komkov, head of the Russian Federal Penitentiary Service of the Ryazan region.
The parties discussed the issues of spiritual and pastoral care of persons held in penitentiary institutions of the region, as well as the organization of spiritual and educational work with the staff of the department.
The parties discussed the issues of spiritual and pastoral care of persons held in penitentiary institutions of the region, as well as the organization of spiritual and educational work with the staff of the department.
On the second day of his working trip, the acting chairman of the Synodal Department for Prison Ministries visited Penal Colony-3 — a high-security colony where former court and law enforcement officials are serving their sentences.
Accompanied by the head of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in the Ryazan region Alexander The priest Kirill Markovsky visited the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker located on the territory of the penitentiary, where he led the Divine Liturgy. His Reverend was served by Archpriest Sergius Leontiev, chairman of the Prison Ministry Department of the Skopinskaya Diocese, Archpriest Georgy Markov, chairman of the Prison Ministry Department of the Ryazan Diocese, and clergy who feed Correctional Colony No. 3.
The service was attended by representatives and staff of the colony, as well as inmates from among the Orthodox community.
At the end of the Liturgy, Priest Kirill Markovsky gave a pastoral address to those present.
At the end of the Liturgy, Priest Kirill Markovsky gave a pastoral address to those present.
The guests familiarized themselves with the activities of the penitentiary, visited the industrial zone, an exhibition of products — mainly garments, as well as products made of metal. The head of the synodal department talked to the convicts at the workplaces.
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In addition, Priest Kirill Markovsky visited the EPCT, where persistent violators of the detention regime are placed, and talked to the convicts there.
The head of the synodal department also visited the EPCT, where persistent violators of the detention regime are placed, and talked to the convicts there.
Finally, in the club of the colony the head of the Synodal Department met with the inmates of the Orthodox community of the institution. In the course of a lengthy conversation, Priest Kirill Markovsky discussed with them many questions concerning the spiritual life of a believer: knowledge and fulfillment of God's will, humility, the meaning of trials and their overcoming.
«It is very important to remember that God, who loves each person, heals his soul with two medicines: trials and consolations. And if a person accepts all trials with humility, repentance and trust in God, God reveals Himself to the person and comforts him. Trial — is a very powerful medicine. But in order for it to benefit us, we must try never to grumble» — emphasized the clergyman.
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After the talk Priest Kirill Markovsky answered many questions of the convicts.
On the third day of the working trip, the head of the Synodal Department for Prison Ministry met with Metropolitan Mark of Ryazan and Mikhailovsky. The parties discussed issues of pastoral ministry in prisons.
Mr. Mark emphasized that in prison ministry special attention should be paid to spiritual and pastoral work with juvenile offenders, as well as with those who committed a crime for the first time and have not yet been infected criminal subculture.
Priest Kirill Markovsky emphasized that prison priests have the most difficult flock, so it is desirable to send the best clergy to work in colonies and detention centers. That is, those pastors who are ready to have compassion for a person in prison, who have a desire to provide spiritual help to him, who understand the importance of the priest's ministry in places of human grief, which are and remain places of forced detention.
On the same day there was a meeting-seminar of priest Kirill Markovsky with the prison clergy of the Ryazan Metropolis. The event was held at the Diocesan Office of the Ryazan Diocese.
The head of the Synodal Department for Prison Ministry discussed with priests who provide spiritual care for the institutions of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in the Ryazan region, the issues of spiritual and pastoral work with suspects, accused and convicted persons, as well as with the staff of the penitentiary department.
Priest Kirill Markovsky told the audience about the spiritual challenges facing the prison clergy, emphasizing that the Lord entrusted them with a difficult flock, among whom there are many people lonely and embittered, and often it is the priest is the only one, who do not condemn the prisoner and only see him as a suffering person. It is especially important for the prison chaplain not to condemn the criminal, to help him see the Providence of God in the events of his life, to remind him that the Lord accepts everyone who turns to Him with repentance and prayer.
«A prison chaplain should not be unreasonably strict with a prisoner, remembering that the main medicine he should use is compassion» — emphasized Priest Kirill Markovsky.
In the course of the conversation, the clergyman shared his many years of pastoral experience in caring for investigators and convicts who have committed especially serious crimes.
The priest shared his long pastoral experience in caring for those who have been arrested and convicted of especially serious crimes.
Following his acquaintance with the organization of prison ministry in the region, the head of the Synodal Department for Prison Ministry visited the penal colony-2 of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in the Ryazan region — a high-security colony, where people who had previously served their sentences in prison are held.
The clergyman visited the Church of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary located on the territory of the colony, in the industrial zone, held conversations with convicts.
The clergyman visited the church of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, located on the territory of the colony, in the industrial zone, held conversations with convicts.
After visiting the penal colony-2 Priest Cyril Markovsky met with the head of the UFSIN of Russia in the Ryazan region Alexander Komkov. The meeting summarized the results visits to penitentiary institutions of the region, the issues of organization of spiritual-pastoral and educational work of clergymen in them were considered, the directions were outlined, which in their further development will contribute to the improvement of moral and psychological climate in institutions, will have a positive impact on the prevention of terrorism and extremism in prisons, as well as on the prevention of suicidal behavior among prisoners.
Synodal Department of Prison Ministry/Patriarchy.ru.
Synodal Department for Prison Ministry/Patriarchy.ru
