Military chaplains in the Armed Forces of Ukraine represent 15 religious organisations

On 9 October, a briefing was held at the Ukrinform news agency to address current issues concerning spiritual support and the development of military chaplaincy in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“Being there for those who serve” is the motto of military chaplains.

Military chaplaincy is an institution born out of war and tested by its harsh realities.

Over the past four years, the number of military chaplains in the Armed Forces has increased more than twentyfold. Today, chaplains represent 15 religious organisations, including Orthodox, Greek Catholic and Roman Catholic communities, various Protestant denominations, Muslims and Jews. They provide continuous spiritual support to service personnel, from training at military training centres and service at permanent duty stations to deployment in combat areas.

Recognising the importance of further developing military chaplaincy, the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations recently appealed to the President of Ukraine in support of a proposal put forward by military chaplains to designate 12 October as Military Chaplain Day in Ukraine.

The initiative to establish this observance is a joint effort involving various religious organisations and chaplaincy services across the different branches and services of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.