Military Recruitment Centers discuss whether clergy will be mobilized
Tetiana Kameristova. Photo: Suspilne
Up to 50% of clergy from churches officially registered in Ukraine are expected to be exempted from mobilization under new criteria being developed by the State Service of Ukraine on Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS). This was reported by Tetiana Kameristova, press secretary of the Rivne Regional Recruitment and Social Support Center, as cited by Suspilne.
“Clergy are ordinary citizens of Ukraine who, if they are male and of eligible age – from 18 to 60 – must update their military registration data in the Reserve+ system. The decision on who will be exempted is not made by us; we are not in charge of the exemptions. This is handled by someone responsible for record-keeping. Just as we have a record-keeper, each diocese also has someone in charge of records. No more than 50% of clergy can be exempted from any given church,” Tetiana Kameristova explained.
The final criteria for exempting clergy from mobilization are still under development, and decisions will be made based on these forthcoming rules.
As previously reported by the UOJ, the head of the State Service of Ukraine on Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience indicated that exemptions would not apply to clergy of the UOC.
Read also
US priest urges defense of UOC amid persecution
Fr. Zachariah Lynch criticized plans to honor Zelensky at St. Nicholas Church in New York and urged Orthodox Christians to speak out against the persecution of the UOC.
Greek theologian condemns murder of monk at Sviatohirsk Lavra
Professor Georgios Foundoulakis of the University of Athens called the death of Monk Varsonofiy a tragedy for the entire Christian world.
Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines
Next week, the Greek Parliament will ratify a document on the protection of the cultural heritage of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Greek bishop calls imposition of same-sex marriage a threat
Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera urged families to become a “domestic church” amid threats to the Christian family in Greek laws and school curricula.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Budapest for opening of Orthodox center
The Ecumenical Patriarch has arrived in Hungary, where he will preside over the consecration of the Orthodox center "Phanarion."