Priest of God Most High and the Military Clergy: A Connection Across Eras (Based on the Experience of the Special Military Operation)

Abstract

The article aims to analyze Old Testament fragments in light of the modern ecclesiastical definition of military clergy and their activities on the front lines of the Special Military Operation. The study seeks to identify the link between the religious factor, the work of military chaplains, and the achievement of victory through Divine blessing and the aid of God Most High against a formidable enemy. The primary research methods include historical analysis, synthesis, comparison, and systematization. Old Testament texts are examined through the lens of the contemporary Church’s understanding of military chaplaincy and its role in securing battlefield success. The sources include the Holy Scriptures, the Basis of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Regulations on the Military Clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Russian Federation, the Orthodox Encyclopedia, archival materials from the Russian State Military Historical Archive (RGVIA), and others. The study concludes that there is a spiritual and historical continuity across eras, highlighting the enduringly vital role of a priest's religious activity in achieving victory through spiritual means. Furthermore, the research identifies Old Testament archetypes for the fundamental principles of church‑state relations — based on separation, cooperation, and mutual support — including the unique status of military chaplains within the armed forces and their social protection.