Council of Churches urges Zelensky to establish military chaplain day
UCCRO said establishing Military Chaplain Day would help develop chaplaincy services in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
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.
