Retreat on Forgiveness and the Sanctity of Life Held at St. Nicholas Shrine

Mitered Archpriest John Kowalczyk & V. Rev. Stephen Powley Participate in Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM) Retreat

Mitered Archpriest John Kowalczyk, Director of Vocations and Spiritual Formation at St. Tikhon’s Seminary, joined Very Rev. Stephen Powley for a two-day retreat hosted by Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM) on October 22–23, 2026, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in New York City.

Titled Suffer with You: Lessons on the Sanctity of Life from Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry, the retreat drew upon the priests’ experience in prison ministry to explore the relationship between Orthodox theology and pastoral care, with particular attention to the dignity of human life, the transformative power of forgiveness, and the Christian call to serve others.

The retreat featured three presentations:

• The Sanctity of Life: From the Womb to the Tomb (Death Row) emphasized the sacredness of every human life, from the unborn to those on death row, affirming that no person is beyond God’s love or the possibility of redemption.
• Suffer With You: Lessons on Forgiveness from Prison explored the transformative power of forgiveness, the importance of allowing God to work in our lives, and the hope of genuine repentance and change.
• With the Fear of God Draw Near: Prison Ministry’s Call to Action encouraged participants to move beyond their comfort zones, recognize Christ in every person, and respond to His call to serve others with trust in God’s providence.

Together, the presentations offered participants an opportunity to reflect on how the teachings of the Orthodox Church inform pastoral ministry, particularly in serving incarcerated individuals and recognizing the dignity of every human person.

St. Tikhon’s Seminary and OCPM also partner to offer a Certificate Program in Prison Ministry, designed to prepare clergy and lay volunteers for service to those affected by incarceration. The program combines Orthodox theological foundations with practical training for ministry in correctional settings.

Those interested in learning more about this ministry are encouraged to explore the Certificate Program in Prison Ministry or visit the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry website to learn more about OCPM’s mission and work.