SW News: On the first anniversary of the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave top military honors to three chaplains serving the armed forces at the war front. The three Ukrainian Greek Catholic priests were honored at the Kyiv-Pechersk monastery church on February 24.

Those who received the top honors include Fr Rostyslav Vysochan, Fr Yuriy Lesyshyn and Fr Yury Logaza. Fr Vysochan was given the medal “For Military Service to Ukraine" while the other two chaplains were honored with the medal for the “Defense of the Fatherland”. President Zelensky said that the soldiers and their near and dear ones trust the chaplains and appreciate their mission.

The head of state said, “I thank you for your service, for being with the soldiers in this year of full-scale war. They were supported spiritually, their families were supported. I am glad that we have the corresponding reform, the corresponding law. But, in my opinion, the most important thing is that we have you."

The Jewish president said that chaplains are heroes as well as they are bravely supporting the soldiers and keeping their morale high. In return, the priests expressed gratitude to the head of state for introducing the chaplaincy in the armed forces. "Our goal is to lend a shoulder and be there. We are at the front to show that the people are with those who are fighting. And God will not leave. It helps and inspires people. And when the spirit is strong, then a person works a miracle. With God, we will win," said one of the priests.

According to Fr Rostislav, a chaplain is a person who is always with the servicemen even if there are no hostilities. He said that apart from religious duties, the chaplain is also expected to play a role in the reintegration, rehabilitation and resocialization of troops. He bemoaned how society and the military have very little understanding of the service done by chaplains.