Rector of the Russian Orthodox University of St. John the Theologian, Deputy head of the World Russian People's Council, A.V. Shchipkov, in the program "Church and World" on the Rossiya 24 TV channel, explained the reason for the electoral mobilization of clergy in Ukraine, and also shared his thoughts on a number of other relevant topics. 
According to him, the practice of selective approach to the mobilization of clergy in Ukraine has a long history. Even during the Civil War, opponents of Orthodoxy used similar methods: Protestant clergy were granted a deferral from conscription, while Orthodox priests were sent to the army.
"Few people know, but during the Civil War in our Fatherland there was this disaster. The Bolsheviks gave reservations to all Protestant denominations and structures. All the others, well, the Orthodox, who were the overwhelming majority, were drafted into the ranks of the Red Army, and the Protestants were released," said A.V. Shchipkov.
He noted that Protestant historians themselves call the 20s of the 20th century the "golden age" of Russian Protestantism, emphasizing the sharp contrast between the position of Orthodox clergy who were sent to war and untouchable Protestants. 
"What is happening in Ukraine now is the same thing. We are liberating our own people, and those whom we want to destroy, we will call upon. The logic is very simple," A.V. Shchipkov emphasized. 
The expert also suggested that the topic of the September 15 meeting between Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and US President Donald Trump at the White House could be the liquidation of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
"We don't know what they were talking about, but most likely they were talking about how the structure of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church would be completely destroyed. <...> They will create one, two, three structures of such pseudo—churches," suggested the guest of the program. 
In his opinion, difficult times await the Orthodox believers of Ukraine, but many will steadfastly profess their faith, despite the persecution, which is already numerous among the clergy and laity, some will betray, others will move under pressure to the schismatic "Orthodox Church of Ukraine" (OCU) or other new structures. The main thing to realize is that there is a global confrontation between world Protestantism and Russian Orthodoxy behind this, says A.V. Shchipkov. 
"Behind this is the most complex process of opposition of world Protestantism to Russian Orthodoxy. Here is the foundation. That's why I keep saying that when we negotiate with the other side, we should definitely raise the religious issue as one of the points, which Vladimir Putin is constantly doing. Looking at the Ukrainian situation, we must understand that Protestantism's attempts to destroy Orthodoxy are at the root of this," the expert stressed. 
Alexander Shchipkov added that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was persecuted according to a carefully planned plan by Western intelligence services, which began to be implemented during Trump's first presidency. The implementation of this plan led to the creation of the OCU with the active support of the United States, which, in his opinion, effectively put the Ecumenical Patriarchate (the Orthodox Church of Constantinople) under its control. 
During the program, the rector of the Russian Orthodox University also noted that the children of the participants of the SVO have a special incentive to study and work, which differs from the motivation of other students. 
The rector said that there are no SVO participants at the university yet, but there are their children. These students stand out from the rest. Some of them have lost their fathers, others have heard their stories, and this forms a completely different view of life, of themselves, and, of course, of the war. Their motivation to study and act is also different. 
"Every educational institution needs guys who are so pivotal that they can rely on them in different situations. That's why I'm waiting. The children of the participants are enrolled, which I am glad of, because these children are different from other children. Someone has lost their fathers, someone knows the stories of their fathers, and they have a completely different attitude. They don't just relate to war, they relate to life in a different way, to themselves. They have a different motivation to learn and act," said A.V. Shchipkov. 
According to him, the special military operation will lead to significant changes in the education system in both universities and schools. This is a natural process. Therefore, the university will be glad to see future lawyers among its students, especially those who are interested in church law. The university has already accepted Orthodox soldiers for training and is looking forward to new students. 
The rector of the Russian Orthodox University also raised a number of issues related to the spread of artificial intelligence technologies and urged students to develop their own intelligence rather than abuse artificial intelligence.
The expert noted that students have always found ways to make their studies easier by resorting to cheating or less conscientious assignments. Modern conditions have only changed the methods, transferring them from physical writing off from the next desk to other forms.
"If you don't learn to think for yourself, and some kind of metal box thinks for you, then you won't be able to live - you won't be able to make a career, perform any professional functions. You will not learn to think, you will not learn to feel, you will not learn to love, you will not learn to have compassion," said A.V. Shchipkov.
The rector also stressed that without mastering the skill of thinking independently, a person is doomed to an inferior existence, and called for abandoning blind trust in AI, insisting on the need to develop their own thinking, and consider AI only as an auxiliary tool for students.
A.V. Shchipkov also appealed to Orthodox clergy to be attentive to artificial intelligence and "don't mess around," with him — write sermons on your own, without resorting to the help of AI.