Maidstone, Kent, England, April 29, 2025
Photo: roarch.org.uk
Orthodox Christian prisoners of Maidstone Prison in Kent, England, were blessed with a visit from a local hierarch and the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in Bright Week.
On Bright Thursday, April 24, His Grace Bishop Atanasie, Archbishop-elect of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese of the United Kingdom and Ireland, traveled to the prison to celebrate the Liturgy with a group of priests and deacons, bringing “the light of the Resurrection and the comfort of God’s grace to a place often forgotten by society, but never by the love of Christ,” the Archdiocese reports.
This is the first time a Romanian hierarch has celebrated the Liturgy in a UK prison. Among the prison population are Romanians and other Orthodox Christians “who find in the ministry of the Orthodox chaplain a source of spiritual support, consolation, and hope for a new beginning.”
The Archdiocese writes:
This Paschal hierarchical Liturgy was experienced with deep emotion by all present. For some prisoners, it was the first time in many years they had approached the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion. They testified that this visit helped them rediscover the meaning of life and the call to repentance. “Within these walls, for the first time, I felt that God had not forgotten us. The weekly presence of the priest is the greatest comfort we receive,” one of the participants shared.
Photo: roarch.org.uk
In his homily, Bp. Atanasie emphasized that Christ can enter even the locked doors of hearts and bring peace and renewal.
Hieromonk Atanasie Păuc, abbot of the Kent Monastic Community, ministers to prisoners at Maidstone twice a week, while the Archdiocese has 17 priests overall who are accredited prison chaplains. “They carry out profound pastoral ministry, offering spiritual care and moral support across various prisons throughout the UK.”
The service was attended by the Deputy Governor and Managing Chaplain of the prison.
The report concludes:
This pastoral act is a visible sign of the care the Romanian Orthodox Church extends to all her faithful, even those in the most challenging circumstances of life. Christ is Risen and forgets no one, and the Church tirelessly seeks out the lost, bringing the light of forgiveness, renewal, and restored dignity.
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