On the feast of the Intercession of Our Most Holy Lady, Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, the chairman of the Synodal Department for Prison Ministry, Priest Kirill Markovsky, visited SIZO—1 in Moscow, better known as Matrosskaya Tishina, one of the largest pre-trial detention centers in the capital.
Together with the assistant to the head of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in Moscow for organizing work with believers, the curator of prison churches in Moscow. Fr. Florenty Alexandrov, acting head of SIZO-1, Lieutenant Colonel Anatoly Gladkikh of the Internal Service, Deputy head of the institution, Colonel Roman Ryabtsev of the internal Service, and Fr. Kirill Markovsky, assistant head of SIZO-1 for work with believers, took part in an event with the staff — the ceremony of awarding shoulder straps to employees of the penitentiary in connection with the assignment of regular special ranks., which took place on the square near the prison church, erected in honor of the Sorrowful Icon of the Mother of God.
In his address to the staff, the head of the Synodal Department expressed his support and gratitude for the sacrificial labors, which are not always appreciated by society, but at the same time are of great importance for the security of our country.
"The Lord has entrusted you and the state has entrusted the most difficult people in our society, but not the hopeless ones. We know, and millennia of experience testifies to this, that even people who have committed serious crimes can come to repentance and change their lives. This is because in the sorrowful places of unfreedom, being torn from the hustle and bustle of life, a person often meets with God. And this meeting shakes him to the depths of his soul, leads to sincere repentance for all the evil deeds he has committed," said the priest. — Of course, compliance with the requirements of the regime and security is paramount — people who pose a danger to society should be isolated. But we all face another important and very difficult task — to help these people rethink their lives and get out of prison in a different way. No one else will complete this task except you and me."
Father Kirill emphasized that the work of the UIS staff is always associated with sacrifice, which has a special meaning for God. The clergyman wished the audience God's help, to always be aware of the importance of their service, to do everything conscientiously and with full dedication, and never to give up in the face of difficulties. In conclusion, the pastor congratulated everyone on one of their favorite autumn church holidays — the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
After the Liturgy, Father Kirill Markovsky addressed the audience. On this day, many convicts, employees of the institution and Orthodox volunteers took communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. All those present sincerely thanked the pastors for their service and the opportunity to participate in the council prayer.
The Feast of the Intercession became the culmination of the spiritual and educational campaign "Week of Prayer" taking place throughout the country in the institutions of the Penitentiary System.
For convicts who attend services in the prison church, these events become a special joy for the soul and a huge step towards joining the spiritual life. According to the bell ringer of the Church of the Sorrowful, the convicted Maxim A., a former businessman, his church service took place here, in custody. When he was free, he was just a churchgoer, attending church only on big holidays. But it was at the Liturgy in the prison church that he felt that God was near. Next, Maxim began to study spiritual literature, attend the Sunday school operating in SIZO-1, and learn bell ringing skills from Hierodeacon Roman (Ogryzkov), head of the Danilov bell ringer school at the Stavropol Monastery, who volunteers at the SIZO and teaches convicts the art of bell ringing.
For Maxim, ringing the bells is an incredible outlet, according to him, after ringing he always feels lightness in his soul and special grace. Now, for a prison bell ringer, faith in God, living according to His commandments, is the main content of life. The man's term is short, he will be released in the summer, where his family is waiting. But he will come out a different person, with a strong faith and a correct understanding of life. According to Maxim, imprisonment by itself does not make a person better, it only hardens, but when you live through this difficult period with God, you understand why and why you are here, it makes you stronger and better.
After the service, the head of the Synodal Department, accompanied by the staff of the institution and the clergy, visited the prisoners who were unable to enter the temple that day. Father Kirill talked with the prisoners, found words of support and comfort for everyone, and presented them with small gifts — chocolates made by special order of the Commission for social service in places of detention under the Diocesan Council of Moscow. This chocolate was presented on the Feast of the Intercession to all prisoners held in Moscow penal institutions, as well as employees of the regional penitentiary department.
Photo by Svetlana Gamerschmidt.