As part of a joint project of the Synodal Department for Prison Ministry and the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church to introduce students of theological schools to prison ministry, Acting Chairman of the Synodal Department for Prison Ministry, Priest Kirill Markovsky, met with graduate students of the Sretensky Theological Academy in Moscow.
Father Kirill told the future pastors about the important mission carried out by the Russian Orthodox Church in places of detention, as well as about the specifics of the activities of prison priests.
The event was also attended by full—time prison priests - Priest Florenty Alexandrov, assistant to the head of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in Moscow for organizing work with believers, Priest Georgy Mitsinsky, assistant to the head of SIZO-1 in Moscow for work with believers, and Priest Nikolai Klementyev, assistant to the head of SIZO-2 in Moscow for work with believers.
The head of the Synodal department told the students about the important and in many ways unique pastoral experience that a priest acquires in places of detention. The issue of the meaning of life's trials was discussed in detail, Father Kirill also noted that encountering suffering in places of human sorrow encourages the prison priest to think more deeply about this important issue of human life.
Father Kirill paid great attention to the development of the institution of full-time prison clergy, the specifics of the penal system, the types of institutions and the specifics of the detention of suspects, accused and convicted persons. He emphasized the special role of the priesthood in the spiritual care of employees of the Russian penitentiary department, shared his experience of prison ministry and long-term spiritual care for convicts who have committed grave and especially grave crimes.
The priest expressed the hope that some of the students present at the conversation would be wonderful prison pastors and would lead many prisoners to faith and repentance.