The Church of the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian in Saratov, Russia, together with the diocesan department for Prison Ministry has launched a new charity project — collecting Orthodox literature for convicts.

“We are asking you to bring the books that you yourselves have read with joy and benefit for your soul, which you would recommend to your loved ones,” the organizers of the action note. “Just think, it could be one of your books that would become a turning point in a person's life, helping him not only make his first step in the right direction, but also to find God, to be a prodigal son who comes back to his Father.”

“For a person who, willingly or unwillingly, broke the Law, the somber time in prison often brings him to rethinking his life, repenting, and acquiring his first religious experience,” Patriarch Kirill says. “Left without the usual comforts and having lost communication with his family and friends, a person in bonds begins to develop a different attitude towards himself, realizing that only God is always there to be next to him. God is the only one to whom you can talk at any moment, and you can talk to Him about everything. He is the only one who is able to help when no one else can."

His Holiness notes that the words of the pastors of the Church are of particular importance for the correction of an individual, and for the transformation of his soul. “It is through their labors, as well as the efforts of many lay volunteers, that the prison ministry mission is realized, the purpose of which is to support prisoners spiritually, to help them change for the better, and to discover the joy of living with Christ,” he stresses.