Russia proposes to grant combat veteran status to clergy
Chief military chaplain of the Russian Orthodox Church, Fr. Vasilenkov. Photo: gazeta.ru
A bill has been introduced in the Russian State Duma proposing to grant combat veteran status to clergy who have “fulfilled their spiritual duty” in the war in Ukraine for at least four months. The bill was published on the State Duma website on April 7, 2025.
The proposal has received support from the Ministry of Defense and Patriarch Kirill. The position of other religious denominations in Russia was not disclosed.
According to the explanatory note accompanying the draft law, clergy “have a significant religious and moral impact on those participating in hostilities” and “inspire heroic acts in the name of the Fatherland.”
The new legislation would entitle ROC clerics to benefits such as monthly payments, free treatment in military hospitals, and preferential admission for their children to higher education institutions.
As previously reported by the UOJ, Patriarch Kirill earlier called on Russians to receive baptism to make Russia invincible.
Read also
MP: Rada to introduce Day of Old Rus fleet’s campaign against Constantinople
Maksym Buzhanskyi announced the preparation of a new list of state and "religious" holidays.
In Israel, synagogues and mosques closed due to military conflict
Israeli authorities have banned mass gatherings, including services during Ramadan and before Purim.
Romanian Patriarchate calls for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine
The Romanian Orthodox Church has stated the need for urgent solutions to restore peace and called for prayer for those in the world's military conflict zones.
Kyiv City Council deputy: We aim to ensure no UOC communities in Kyiv region
Tytykalo stated that the deputies set the task of "cleansing the Kyiv region of the UOC".
395 UOC churches damaged by shelling since start of war – report
An updated report on damaged religious sites over four years of war in Ukraine includes data on 395 affected UOC churches, as well as hundreds of destroyed or damaged facilities belonging to other denominations.
GOC opens fundraising drive for Sinai Monastery and Holy Sepulchre Church
The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece has called on Greece’s metropolises and parishes to collect donations to support the ancient shrines on Sinai and in Jerusalem.