Service of the Orthodox military clergy in the occupied territory of Galicia during the First World War

Abstract

The activity of the Orthodox military clergy in the Russian army on the territory of Galicia during the First World War is considered. It was established that the religious situation in Galicia and the conduct of hostilities on the enemy’s territory had a great influence on the activities of military priests. The attitude of the protopresbyter of the military and naval clergy to the uniate question, the specificity of the interaction of military priests with the local population are shown. The features of the organisation and implementation of services are analysed. The work of priests to maintain a fighting spirit is considered. Cases of both conscientious and unacceptable attitude to the service was established.

Keywords

• first world war
• orthodox military clergy
• galicia
• southwestern front
• uniatism
• protopresbyter of the military and naval clergy
• g. i. shavelsky