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Russian priests are dying in the war in Ukraine
Dec 3, 2023
700 clergymen of the Russian Orthodox Church have been at war in Ukraine, and seven priests have been killed. These figures were announced at a meeting of the World Russian People's Council by the head of the Synodal Department for Interaction with the Armed Forces and Law Enforcement, Metropolitan Kirill (Pokrovsky), according to the Telegram channel Christians Against the War.
Kirill says "about a hundred Orthodox priests are on the front line every day." State Duma deputy Olga Timofeeva noted, "they are not registered anywhere and are there as volunteers."
The issue of regulating the legal status of the clergy who go to the front is now being resolved.
"Vladimir Putin instructed to support the concept that provides for the conclusion of agreements between traditional denominations and the Russian Defense Ministry; the exclusive right of traditional denominations that have concluded these agreements to send military priests to military units; a ban on the issuance of ammunition and weapons to military priests; extension to military clergy of social benefits, guarantees and compensation established by Russian law for military personnel and members of their families," said Abbess Ksenia (Chernega).
Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 04/12/2023
