Photo: Newsru.com
The Acting Chairman of the Department of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for Relations with the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies, Archpriest Sergei Privalov told about how the training chaplains for the armed forces of Russia.
The concept of the institution of military clergy (chaplains) in the Russian army are now almost four years ago. However, according to sociological research, the number of religious people in the armed forces increased from the call to the call and is now around 70% of the total number of military personnel. Amid growing number of believers in the military is an extremely important role of chaplains who assist in the formation and spiritual development of the soldiers, officers and generals.
In accordance with the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in 2009 the Defense Ministry were put 240 staff positions as assistant commander for work with the faithful soldiers. According to the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church, today they formally appointed cleric 42 and 10 civilians.
In this area, stressed Privalov, observed very positive trend. Only a few months in 2013 was more than a destination than in the past three years. Most of the staff chaplains (to be precise — they are 40) Eastern Orthodox, two — Islam. In the near future there will be the first time in the army chaplains Buddhists.
As suggested by the priest, the result is affected by the negative attitude to the issue of former Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov. According to the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church, a former defense minister strongly prevented the appointment to the staff of priests. Even the Presidential Control tried every way to reason with him, but he took a hard line in this direction. This trend, according to Privalov, will very soon overcome. This week prepared documents for the appointment of the staff is 15 people.