More than 300 priests representing 13 different religious organizations currently serve in the Ukrainian Defense Forces. About this informs Department of Strategic Communications of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (StratCom).
“Now more than 300 priests and theologians from 13 religious organizations serve in the army. At the front, in the rear or in the hospital, they are always close to their wards to pray together, perform the Sacrament or simply listen to a person who needs the advice of a priest.”, – said in a message to StratCom.
Chaplain service in the Armed Forces actually began after the Russian invasion of Crimea and Donbas in 2014. The Armed Forces of Ukraine express gratitude to their spiritual mentors for their dedication and service to God and the soldiers.
We will remind you that the Verkhovna Rada adopted the Law “On Military Chaplaincy Service” in November 2021, and the chaplaincy system began to work fully in October 2022. A military chaplain can become a clergyman who is a citizen of Ukraine, has a mandate from a registered religious organization and has undergone appropriate training. At the same time, priests belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate cannot be military chaplains.
On the occasion of the holiday, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi congratulated the chaplains, stressing that their service became an important part of the struggle for freedom and independence of Ukraine. He emphasized that chaplains are a symbol of faith, hope and support for Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines and in the rear, and also expressed gratitude for their dedication and help in this difficult struggle.
