UGCC military chaplains expect official recognition of the chaplains’ service

On December 25, the VIII national congress of military chaplains of the UGCC, which lasted from December 23 at the House of officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, completed its work.

According to the Information Department of the UGCC, the third day of the congress was dedicated to the spiritual aspect of chaplain ministry for the military servicemen. The last part of the training held by Fr. Andrew Zelinskywas focused on the spiritual state of the priest and the difficulties everyone faces in the spiritual life. Upon completion of training chaplains shared their experiences of surviving difficult situations and fighting with their shortcomings in the priest's office.

Summing up the Congress, Fr. LubomyrYavorski, Deputy Director of the Department of the Patriarchal Curia of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on Pastoral Forces of Ukraine, thanked everyone who came to Kyiv together to get ready to provide spiritual care to military servicemen, particularly in the area of ATO.

“I’m grateful to everyone who took the time to get to the Congress. We hope that soon our chaplains’ service will be officially recognized by the state. For this, we need to continue learning,” Fr. Lubomyr said. “Soon we will have some more training in Ukraine, organized by the Department for Local Support of Chaplains,” said Deputy Head of Department. Father Lubomyr encouraged military priests to contact the Department in the event of personal needs, especially if you need help soldiers serving in the ATO area or undergoing treatment.

Upon completion of the congress the chaplains served a thanksgiving Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ. The worship was led by Bishop Bohdan (Dziurakh), Administrator of the Patriarchal Curia.

In the liturgy together with Bishop chaplains came to Independence Square and prayed for those who deceased on Maidan and all over Ukraine since the confrontation.

It should be noted that the Congress was attended by 50 military chaplains who have visited the ATO area. The next Congress will be held next year in Kyiv.