The first All-Russian seminar for clergy serving in military hospitals in the special military operation zone and the rear regions of Russia was held at the Moscow Theological Academy.
The seminar, chaired by the chief hospital priest, Archpriest Sergius Klyaev, began with a prayer service at the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh in the Trinity Lavra Cathedral.
The participants discussed the specifics of performing the Sacraments at the bedside of the seriously injured, preparing for Communion and organizing regular visits to hospital wards. The coordinator of pastoral care of the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service, Priest Evgeny Lishchenyuk, made a report on psychological support for participants in the fighting. Alexey Zarov, Chief Physician of St. Alexy's Hospital, spoke about the medical aspects of the interaction between doctors and the clergy.
The program also includes issues related to the prevention of the spread of destructive ideologies and extremism among military personnel. The speeches of Roman Konya, Associate Professor of the Moscow Theological Academy, and Professor Roman Silantyev were devoted to this topic.
Special attention was paid to the safety of clergy in frontline medical units. Archpriest Dimitri Krotkov, head of the military Department of the Crimean Archdiocese, shared his ministry experience. The seminar ended with practical exercises in tactical medicine.