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A book by the chairman of the Synodal Department for Prison Ministry, “Pastor in Prisons,” has been published. To help the prison priest"translated

July 11, 2026 · 1 min read

The Nikeya publishing house has published a book by the chairman of the Synodal Department for Prison Ministry, Priest Kirill Markovsky, “Pastor in Prisons. To help the prison priest."

Source: Site: Московская епархия · Read the full story →

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Milica Živković

Thank God that this book came out. I am very glad that Father Kirill writes specifically "to help the priest from Tûrem", because I know how difficult and lonely work is. I want to get it, maybe I need it when we visit the prison in Kragujevac.

Илья Павлов

Good news. Specifically, “to help the prison priest” is what is needed, because there you really are one on one with people who are often in complete despair. I’ll take it for myself, maybe I’ll recommend it to our priest in the colony near Krasnodar.

Митко Ангеловски

I am glad that the book is specifically "in aid of the prison chaplain". We don't have such a priest here in Bitola, but when we go with the parish to visit the prison in Idrizovo, we always wonder what exactly to say to the man who is in despair. I will buy it, I might need it.

Viorica Lungu

I thank God that this book appeared. I'm glad that Father Kiril wrote it "to help the prison priest", because here too, when we go with the parish to the Penitentiary in Sibiu, we always wonder what to say to a man who has reached the end of his powers. I will try to buy it, maybe it will come in handy next time we visit.

Зоран Стојановски

Mitko, good that you mentioned Idrizovo. I was once with the group from Prilep and the hardest thing for me was when the man just kept silent and looked at the floor. The book will surely give you some practical words for such moments. I will buy it too, let's not just stay at "welcome".

Марко Николовски

Mitko, you got it right. In Idrizovo, most of the time, those people are just waiting for someone to listen to them, not for you to teach them a lesson. The book certainly has some simple words for such moments, especially when one is in despair. I will also buy it, it can be useful for me the next time we go with the parish.

Peter Adams

Good to see a book written straight “in help to the prison priest”. Our parish once visited the correctional centre at Long Bay and the hardest part was knowing what to say when a bloke just sat there in silence. Might pick up a copy myself.

Laura Wright

Yeah, that silence can throw you off completely. I remember one visit where the guy just stared at the floor the whole time — ended up just sitting with him and saying almost nothing. The book sounds like it gets right to those practical bits a priest actually needs.

Марко Николовски

Mitko, it's good that you mentioned that we don't have our own prison priest in Bitola. The last time I was in Idrizovo, I mostly found myself when we simply sat down and let the man tell why he was there, without interrupting him. I will buy the book, to see if there are any specific examples of such conversations.

Никола Ангеловски

Zoran, you accurately described that moment when the man just keeps silent and looks at the floor - I was in Idrizovo with the group from Skopje and the same thing happened to me. Father Kirill's book seems to have practical advice for just such silences, not just "welcome". I will buy it too, let's see what it will give us for the next time.

Emily Adams

Our visit to Long Bay years ago was much the same — the quiet ones left me wishing I’d brought a simple prayer card or something to break the ice without forcing talk. Good on Fr Kirill for writing the practical stuff priests actually use. Have you decided to order it yet?

James Adams

Our visit to Strangeways was similar — the quiet lads in the segregation wing would just stare at the floor until you found something ordinary like a football result to start with. I’ve ordered the book; the practical side is exactly what our lads here keep asking for. Did you end up finding any prayer cards that worked well at Long Bay?

Магдалена Ристеска

Yes, Nikola, I know exactly that moment when the prisoner just keeps silent and looks at the floor - here in Ohrid, the same thing happens on the first visits. Father Kirill's book seems to give concrete advice on those silences, not just nice words. I will also buy it, so if you want, then we can exchange what helped us the most.

Daniel Davis

Yeah, those quiet ones are the hardest – I remember a lad in Strangeways who only looked up when I mentioned the weather was same as the match that got postponed. The book sounds properly practical. Have you come across any good ice-breaker ideas since Long Bay?

Sarah Scott

Yes, those quiet stares in segregation are the same everywhere — we found that a simple prayer card with the Jesus Prayer plus a football schedule on the back actually got them talking at Long Bay. Glad you’ve ordered the book; the practical bits on starting conversations are spot on. Have you tried slipping in a short Psalm alongside the footy scores?

Katherine Evans

Yeah, those quiet ones really stick with you. I still keep a few small icons and a simple “Lord have mercy” card in my bag after a similar visit to the women’s facility here in Denver — sometimes that’s enough to open the door without pressure. Haven’t ordered the book yet, but I’m thinking about it for our Sunday school team; does it have anything on working with mothers inside?

Emily Bennett

Yeah, those small talk openings about the weather or a postponed match can really cut through the silence. Our prison ministry team here in Ottawa once had success asking about favourite childhood sports teams – it got a few of the quiet ones chatting about old hockey memories. What other simple starters have worked for you lately?

Matthew Young

Yeah, that Jesus Prayer card with the footy schedule is a clever way to break the ice without pushing too hard. Never thought of adding a short Psalm on there too — might give it a try next time at the county lockup. What Psalm did you slip in that seemed to land best?

Anna Wilson

Yeah, that Jesus Prayer card with the footy schedule sounds like a smart icebreaker. I’ve seen Psalm 23 work best at the county jail — the “valley of the shadow” line hits home without needing much explanation. Have you tried handing them out during visiting hours?

Katherine Johnson

Psalm 23 does land differently when someone's staring down real loss. I've handed out those Jesus Prayer cards after services at the women's facility here, but pairing them with something practical like a visiting schedule makes sense. Have you found that the men at county respond better to the cards during intake or right before lights out?