Frequently Asked Questions
Hebrews 13:3
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
- Q: What is the Fellowship of St. Silas?
The Fellowship of St. Silas is a non-geographical fellowship. We have prisoners scattered all across the United States. We try to teach prisoners how to turn their prison cell into a prayer cell. I send out a pastoral letter that is both religious and sometimes humorous. The main goal of my letters that I send out is for spiritual encouragement. We have had some prisoners who have been tonsured as monks while still in prison. Many of the prisoners to whom we write have burned all of their bridges with family and friends. We also mail books, icons and service texts. Once a year we place blessed water on my pastoral letter, the prisoners put the paper with the drop of blessed water on it into a cup of water to sanctify the water so that they can bless their living area. These are but a few of the things that we do to minister to those who are in prison.
- Q: Why does the Fellowship go by the name "St Silas"?
St. Silas was a companion of St. Paul. Silas endured many of the afflictions that the other apostles faced. Prison, torture, and being battered by stones were but a few of the trials that these apostles endured. I would encourage you to read Acts 16:25-40 and you will see how these men preached the gospel even under horrible circumstances. St. Silas is the patron saint of our community. We ask for his intercession for those who are imprisoned and for what they endure under very difficult circumstances.
- Q: How long has this ministry been around?
I have been ministering to prisoners since 1990. At one time, we used to be a part of the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM). When OCPM went under SCOBA (Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops in America), I was blessed by the group to continue this ministry as the Fellowship of St. Silas. We have a simple ministry, and we simply want to minister to prisoners, one seeker at a time.
- Q: Does one have to be Orthodox in order to be ministered to by the Fellowship?
There are three types of people to whom we minister. Those who are Orthodox, those who are seeking the Orthodox faith, and those who are looking for a deeper spiritual life.
- Q: What is your role as priest to those who are in prison?
I simply try to be a voice for them as they travel through their personal wilderness experience. I pray, I commemorate, and I carry the prisoners in my heart. I understand that I may be one of the last spiritual voices in their life. I cannot do this work alone. There is a gigantic need for more workers in this wilderness.
- Q: Can a layperson be effective in prison ministry?
The answer is Yes and Amen! Priests are very busy people. Prison ministry is also time-consuming. If you were to go and get a blessing from your priest, the doors are wide open for prison ministry. Getting into a prison is quite an involved process, but there are many Orthodox Christians doing this ministry even now. You do not have to reinvent the wheel. Please read about what you can do for prisoners.
- Q: How can I support the ministry of the Fellowship of St. Silas?
We have a small group of people who help support this ministry. As of now, it costs $500 to do one mailing. If you are interested in seeing our income for each month we will gladly send you a copy of our humble budget. We are always in need of your prayers so that we can send the light of the Gospel to suffering humans.
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Matthew 25:34 - 40
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
