Council of Churches urges Zelensky to establish military chaplain day
Chaplain. Photo: censor.net
The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) has sent an appeal to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposing that October 12 be officially designated as Military Chaplain Day in Ukraine.
The initiative to establish the professional observance came from the Interfaith Council under the Ministry of Defense. The proposal received unanimous support from representatives of all religious organizations on the council.
UCCRO noted that chaplains from various denominations have been serving alongside Ukrainian troops on the front lines for more than four and a half years, providing spiritual and moral support. Council members believe that establishing an official observance would help strengthen chaplaincy services in the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service, while also bolstering the country's defense capabilities.
As a reminder, the Cabinet of Ministers approved new rules for issuing chaplaincy mandates, effectively barring UOC clergy from serving as chaplains in Ukrainian military units.
The UOJ previously reported that many chaplains actually serve in their home parishes rather than on the front lines.
Read also
Priest at Lavra prayer vigil explains why saints feared nothing
During a prayer vigil outside the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on the feast day of St. John the Theologian, Fr. Georgiy reminded the faithful that love casts out fear.
UOC hierarch takes part in consecration of Serbian monastery in Germany
Bishop Veniamin of Boyarka took part in the consecration of the restored monastery of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Hildesheim.
International conference on theology and Church history held in Kharkiv
On October 9, the V International Conference on Theology and Church History, attended by guests from Europe, was held at the Kharkiv Theological Seminary of the UOC.
UOC Boryspil Eparchy priest's brother killed in war
In the village of Perevolochna, Chernihiv region, a funeral service was held for the soldier Roman Povkh, the brother of the rector of a UOC church in the village of Sadove.
TRC detains rector of UOC church in Mali Puzyrky village
A priest of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy with a heart condition was forced to undergo a medical commission and taken away to an unknown destination.
OCA renews fundraising for Ukrainian refugees in Poland
The Primate of the OCA has called on the faithful to show Christian mercy in practice and support Ukrainian displaced persons in Poland.