Orthodox volunteer priests from Moscow went to Chechnya

Another group of Orthodox priests from Moscow went to Chechnya to take care of military personnel, Novye Izvestiya reports . Since there is no law on military clergy in Russia, priests do not have any official status and act at their own peril and risk. As he said in an interview with the newspaper, Fr. Mikhail (Vasiliev), they "are admitted to the unit informally. Everything depends on personal connections and contacts."

The priests are bringing humanitarian aid and a camp temple with them. According to Novye Izvestia, there are currently 11 field churches and chapels operating in Chechnya. "There are no other Orthodox churches, all have been destroyed," the newspaper writes.

Sources

• Petelin G. The Crusaders: The Priests Go to Chechnya. Volunteers // New news. 2003. October 3rd.