At the Assembly in Montreal, Vladika Irénée, talked about the necessity of Orthodox Christians being involved in every aspect of our society as “chaplains”. To this point, he highlighted the work of the St. Silas Orthodox Prison Fellowship Society. It is one thing to be a “chaplain” with those who are sick or dying, or struggling through addictions and homelessness. It is another thing serving those who have broached the law. Yet the Lord calls us to “visit” the “least of My brethren” even in prison. The St. Silas Orthodox Prison Fellowship Society, has taken this to heart, and enters into those places many of us dare not go, in bringing the Gospel of the Lord’s victory and forgiveness. This is something for us to consider as we celebrate the feast of St Silas and his companions this weekend.

About eight years ago, while working as a prison Chaplain at Kent Maximum Institution, Fr. Richard Rene received a letter from an inmate named Dale, asking to be baptized into the Orthodox Church. Dale had met Fr. Richard while at Kent, and had since begun to read about the Orthodoxy. His reading confirmed what he had already learned in conversation with Fr. Richard: he had found the fullness of the Christian faith.

In January, 2016, Fr. Richard baptized Dale at Mission Medium Institution—the first ever Orthodox baptism in a Canadian federal prison. Dale took as his patron Moses the Black, whose life paralleled his in so many ways. Later that year, a second inmate was baptized, taking the name of the Apostle Silas. The following year, a third inmate was received by Confession and Chrismation, and took the name of Silouan. 

The growing need among Orthodox inmates made it clear that a prison ministry was beginning. Fr. Richard appointed two members of an interim board, Dn. Symeon Price and Matushka Jaime Rene, and began the process of registering the ministry as a federal and provincial charity. The new ministry was dedicated to the Apostle Silas, who accompanied and was imprisoned with the Apostle Paul.

Since its inception, St. Silas Prison Ministry has extended its work across Canada. We have connected inmates in need with local communities, regardless of jurisdiction. We have provided inmates with Study Bibles, books, icons, and prayer ropes. We have served Sunday and Festal Liturgies, sacraments of baptism, unction, and confession; as well as Lenten, Holy Week, and Paschal services. We have reached out and responded to inmates by letter and by phone.

In the process of ministering to Orthodox inmates, we have also introduced many non-Orthodox inmates (not to mention Chaplains and Staff members), to Orthodox faith and practice. As such, St. Silas is truly a mission, answering the Lord’s call to proclaim the Gospel even in the darkest corners of the prison system. We need men and women of faith who are willing to join this mission field. Ask the Lord to show you how you can serve him among his incarcerated children

While many of us are unable and un-equipped to do this work, they are those who are. So we ask you to always remember in your prayers those who are in prison, and especially those who serve them in love (like the  St. Silas Orthodox Prison Fellowship Society) in the name of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ!

May the Lord bless and confirm our work! 

For more information, or to offer any help, please contact the St. Silas Orthodox Prison Fellowship Society at contact@orthodoxprisonministry.ca.