Today, on the day of St. Martin the Merciful, we offer special prayers for our chaplains. This saint, who lived in the distant 4th century, is their patron, and it is with his life, devoted service, courage, kindness, and care for others that the emergence of chaplaincy is associated. Because cappa was a military cloak, which was once shared by a skilled military officer Martin to warm a beggar in winter.
This is stated in the greeting address issued by the head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epifaniy, on the occasion of Chaplains’ Day.
Many centuries have passed since that time, but even now chaplains carry on the same kindness, help and protection for our defenders. Ukrainian chaplains are a strong spiritual support for the military, it is a reliable spiritual shield of our front that will always support, protect, strengthen, and save soldiers from despair and hopelessness. Our chaplains, spiritual defenders, are always near. Their main weapon is unshakable faith in the Lord, hope, and love.
Seeing the real horrors of war and its consequences, pain and tears, death, and terrible mutilations, they are also afraid and they cry, because they are human. But chaplains overcome their fear with love and gratitude – to those whom they care for, whom they help, whom they save. They are like earthly guardian angels, on the watch of humanity amid the horrors of war. They are at the service of God, people and Ukraine.
Some of our chaplain brothers were tortured and captured by the Russians. Unfortunately, there are those killed, tortured to death. Their bright memory fills our hearts, which will continue to fight to win this war, to prove the biblical truth: good always wins over evil. Dear chaplains, I wish you as many victories and good achievements on your spiritual front as possible!
