Spiritual support and health of the troops is a priority for the ROC.

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The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is hoping to boost the number of priests acting as chaplains in the special military zone, and has petitioned the government for the "regularization"  of the status of military priests, establishing the subordination of military priests to their hierarchy, (right now the priest is fully accountable to the commander of his military unit) and introducing social benefits and guarantees for chaplains, similar to those that already apply to contract servicemen.

Vakhtang Kipshidze, Deputy Head of the Synodal Department for Church, Society, and Media Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, stressed that the Church sees its task as ensuring that every solider, officer, and even volunteer has the opportunity to communicate with a military priest. However, there is a recognized need for more chaplains in the military zone. Exact numbers currently serving are hard to come by due to the ever shifting nature of a combat zone, but the need is recognized and work is being done to fill the shortcoming.

He also added that, in general, "the State pays great attention to chaplain service in the special operation zone and highly appreciates the feat of those clergymen who serve there." For example, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded the title of Hero of Russia posthumously to Archpriest Mikhail Vasiliev, who died in the SVO zone.

It is hoped this regularization process will entice more priests to serve in the SVO zone and minister to the people that so desperately need spiritual council.

Read more about this story here. (In Russian)

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