Master Bless!

I am so thankful for your missionary hope for the Orthodox Christian faith here in North America. I recently returned from Toronto, Canada, where I attended the Prison Fellowship International Convocation from July 4^th through the 8^th. Fr. Duane Pederson, Fr. Stephen Powley and I represented the North American Orthodox Christian Priests serving those in prison.

I am joyful in saying we were also blessed with the presence of Orthodox Christian clergy from Eastern Europe. Many of the missionaries who serve in the prisons overseas have become a beacon of light. There are many now called to fulfill the mission unto those who are in prison.

Our time in Toronto was unique. The Orthodox are respected yet still misunderstood. I believe our presence made it very clear that the Holy Orthodox Church has always carried the sorrow of a broken life and the willingness to help those people find healing. The Antiochian Archdiocese was the first "jurisdiction" to have a missionary outreach to those who come from various backgrounds of faith and nationality in prison. Thank you for your care to the suffering souls of those in prison.

In His love I write,

Very Rev. Fr. David Ogan
Fellowship of St. Silas
Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry