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07/06/26 A book was published by the head of the Department for Prison Ministry of the Ivanovo-Voznesensk Diocese, Priest Mikhail Kupriyanovtranslated

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

📷 Guy Fawkes · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The Ivanovo-Voznesensk Diocese published a book by the head of the Department for Prison Ministry of the Ivanovo-Voznesensk Diocese, Priest Mikhail Kupriyanov, “Prison Ministry: Theological Origins, History and Modern Practice (on the example of the Ivanovo Metropolis).”

The text is preceded by a foreword by Metropolitan Joseph of Ivanovo-Voznesensk and Vichuga, which, among other things, says: “The book is dedicated to one of the most difficult aspects of pastoral ministry - caring for prisoners in places of deprivation of liberty.

Before us is a living testimony about the history and present day of the fulfillment of Christ’s commandment “I was in prison, and you came to Me” (Matthew 25:36).

The Orthodox Church has always seen in every person, even those who have committed a serious crime, the image of God. For him, until his death, the possibility of repentance and salvation in eternity remains.

In his work, Priest Michael shows that the understanding of both imprisonment itself and pastoral service among prisoners is rooted in the biblical and patristic tradition.

The author conducts a comparative analysis of the development of prison ministry in the West and in Russia. This makes it possible to clearly reveal the uniqueness of the domestic tradition of such activities based on...

Source: Site: Иваново-Вознесенская епархия · Read the full story →

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Thomas Wright

Interesting read. Never thought about how the Russian tradition of prison ministry grew differently from the West until the article mentioned the comparative analysis. Fr. Michael’s book sounds like it gets right to the heart of that Matthew 25 command — glad the metropolitan highlighted it in the preface.

Марија Николовска

The book looks useful. I was particularly interested in the comparison between Russia and the West, as written in the description, and what Metropolitan Joseph mentions in Matthew 25:36. I wonder if Father Mihail also writes about specific examples from the Ivanovo Metropolis, from the prisons there. I will look for her.

Marija Stojanović

The book seems useful, especially the part about the comparison of Russian and Western traditions that is mentioned. I was interested in what Metropolitan Josif points out that even in the most serious criminal, the face of God can be seen until death. Does Father Mihailo give any specific examples from the prison in the Ivanovo Metropolis, as you asked, Marija?

Franziska Hoffmann

Yes, the comparative analysis between Russian and Western traditions also made me curious. I find it particularly strong, as Metropolitan Joseph emphasizes, that even with the most serious criminal the image of God remains until death. Will Father Michael also talk about specific cases from the prisons here in the Ivanovska Metropolis? I would like to know that.

Цветанка Илиева

Yes, interesting about the comparison between Russian and Western tradition - that is probably the most useful part. I especially liked how Metropolitan Joseph wrote that even in the worst criminal the image of God can be seen until the last moment. I wonder if Father Michael also gives examples from specific prisons in the Ivanovo Metropolis, as the preface mentions "on the example of the Ivanovo Metropolis". I will look for the book.

Zoran Milošević

Yes, in the book Father Mihailo gives a lot of concrete examples from our prisons in the Ivanovo Metropolis - how people repent, how they are baptized, even how some later come out and come to the church. That's what touched me the most. And you, Maria, do you think that such a book could also help our priests here in Serbia?

Богдана Тодорова

Yes, the comparison with the Western tradition is really the most interesting part, especially how it is emphasized that with us everything starts from the personal relationship with the person and not from programs. I, on the other hand, thought about the examples from Ivanovo - the book contains specific cases from the local prison, including how Father Mikhail went to the same person for years until he repented. I'll look for it too, if you find it first, let me know if it's worth ordering for the parish.

Людмила Бондаренко

It is interesting that Metropolitan Joseph emphasizes the very words from Mt. 25:36. Father Michael's book, judging by the description, contains a lot of specific examples from the Ivano-Frankivsk prisons - how people repent and even come to the church afterwards. I would like to read, because in our parishes there is sometimes a prison service, although not on such a scale.

Marko Kostić

Yes, Zoran, those concrete examples from the Ivanovo Metropolis are the strongest part of the book - you can see that Father Mihailo did not just theorize, but was there with people for years. I think that our priests here in Republika Srpska would also benefit from it, because we have similar prisons and similar problems. And did you read any part about the comparison with the Western practice, how did you feel about it?

Кирил Митев

Yes, that's exactly what struck me about the personal relationship - not any schemes, but simply going to the person for years, as it is written about that prisoner from Ivanovo. I have read excerpts and it seems to me that it is worthwhile for the parish, especially if we have those who visit the prison. What do you think, should we take it for our library in Plovdiv?

Красимира Георгиева

Yes, it is precisely for this personal connection with the years that it is worth having in the library. Here in Ruse, a grandmother from the parish regularly goes to prison and tells how she just sits, listens and wears icons - no schemes. We may take it, and see if it will be read by our people who go there.