12 convicts of the Vinnitsa prison sentenced for life have decided to take monastic vows, the Segodnya Ukrainian paper reports.
Today, 12 novices and two monks live in the monastery on the territory of the prison.
After 20 years in prison, life prisoners can ask for mercy, but perhaps, monks will have more chance of being released.
The morning of one monk – life-imprisoned Andrey Chistyakov – starts with 40 prostrations and prayer. "For ten years I read works of the holy fathers for six-eight hours a day. I could have never had so much time as I have here in prison, even in the monastery," the prisoner said.
The Penitentiary Service of Ukraine says up to now there have never been cases when so many life prisoners have taken monastic vows en masse.