St. John’s Russian Orthodox Mission Church is a modest country church amid the ridges and valleys of Northern Appalachia in central Pennsylvania. But we support a prison ministry.

Today I an unworthy sinner had a great blessing, to witness the first communion in many years for an inmate and fellow Orthodox Christian in the prison we serve.

St. Symeon the New Theologian used to require the monks in his community to shed tears when approaching the gifts in order to receive Communion. There was no need to speak such a rule this morning; the tears came spontaneously, with heartfelt repentance and gratitude.

As an unworthy witness offering the gifts, I could only marvel at the mystery and miracle of our Lord’s Body and Blood there with us and received.

We pray in Church for the captives and those imprisoned, as we all are by sin. He brings forgiveness and love in His offering of Himself, as we offer ourselves to Him.

Beyond words does the Word of God come to us in the Eucharist, of whose Body and Blood we partake. How meaningful it is, how not to be taken for granted. In witnessing this, I was convicted and challenged in my approach to the Chalice also, even as an unworthy Priest.

Glory to God for all things!