On September 12, 2026, the opening of the First All-Russian Scientific and Practical conference in the format of military clergy meetings of the Russian Orthodox Church took place in Nizhny Novgorod. The event is attended by clergymen who provide pastoral care to military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and troops of the National Guard of the Russian Federation.
The work of the conference began with a conciliar prayer for the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky. The service was performed by Metropolitan George of Nizhny Novgorod and Arzamas, Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk, Chairman of the Synodal Department for Cooperation with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies, and Bishop Ilia of Balakhna.
During the Liturgy, a special prayer was offered for the soldiers and Holy Russia.
At the end of the service, Metropolitan George welcomed the clergy who had arrived from different regions of Russia and wished them God's help in discussing issues of pastoral ministry in the army.
"A major, possibly historic event is taking place in Nizhny Novgorod today. With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, clergy from all over Russia have come to us, carrying out their pastoral ministry in military units," said the head of the Nizhny Novgorod Archdiocese.
Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk congratulated the audience on the feast day of the Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky. Vladyka recalled the military and state service of the holy Prince, as well as his connection with the Nizhny Novgorod land: Alexander Nevsky completed his earthly journey in Gorodets.
The official opening of the conference took place at the garrison club of the headquarters of the Volga District of the National Guard of the Russian Federation. At the beginning of the plenary session, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia greeted the participants of the training camp.
Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk delivered the main report. He spoke about the modern experience of serving military clergy and provided data on the pastoral activities of clergy in the war zone.
According to His Eminence, more than three thousand priests of the Russian Orthodox Church have passed through the war zone during the special military operation. During this period, over 100,000 soldiers were baptized, and 250,000 soldiers became communicants of the Holy Mysteries of Christ last year alone.
Speaking about the appointment of pastoral ministry among military personnel, Metropolitan Kirill stressed: "The task of a priest in war is harsh and clear: to preserve the human being in a person." The clergyman is called upon to spiritually support the fighters, to help them maintain faith, moral responsibility and love for others even in the most difficult circumstances.
The report paid special attention to the development of cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the troops of the National Guard of the Russian Federation. Within the framework of the emerging system, specialized divisions are being created and full-time positions of clergy are being introduced.
The Chairman of the Synodal Department also drew attention to the need to counteract the spread of destructive ideologies and neo-Pagan cults in the military environment, which can replace the Christian understanding of military service and sacrificial love for the Fatherland.
At the end of his speech, Metropolitan Kirill called on the conference participants to summarize the accumulated experience and develop common approaches to the pastoral care of military personnel.
"The experience you brought with you is unique, and sometimes it comes at a high price. Our common task is to refine it into unified, well—thought—out approaches that will form the basis of pastoral ministry in the Armed Forces and the Russian Guard for many years to come," said the archpastor.
During the conference, the military clergy will discuss organizational and practical issues of service in military units, exchange pastoral experience and formulate proposals for further development.