Russian Orthodox Church Wants 1,500 “Combat Priests” Serving on Russia’s Frontlines

The Russian Orthodox Church has called for a significant increase in military clergy to support soldiers in the ongoing war against Ukraine. At the XXXIII Christmas Readings, Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk emphasized the need for 1,500 priests to serve the military, far surpassing the current 300.

"The work of military priests is the main condition for victory in this war," said Archpriest Dimitry Vasilenkov, Deputy Chairman of the Synodal Department of the Russian Orthodox Church for Interaction with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

According to him, "a believing warrior understands the meaning of this war perfectly well - he knows that he is fighting for the truth" and "in conditions of absolute brutalization of people, he does not allow himself to turn into a beast." 

He said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces' goal is "to force our soldiers to respond to their atrocities with their own atrocities, thereby driving them into sin and depriving them of God's help."

Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol emphasized the urgent need to train more clergy with specialized knowledge for military service. "A person who took part in military actions can become more evil, burn with hatred," said Metropolitan Kirill, adding "This cannot be allowed, even to enemies. It is necessary to remain a human being in the war and, of course, a Christian - not to become part of evil."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in an interview with CBN News on December 11 that Russia has killed at least 50 priests and destroyed nearly 700 churches during its war against Ukraine. He explained that priests were killed for refusing to align with Patriarch Kirill and the Russian Orthodox Church, with evidence showing some were tortured before their execution.