Military Chaplaincy in the Russian Army during the First World War

Abstract

The article examines the service of chaplains in the Russian army in 1917. The Institute of Chaplains was established in response to the growth of revolutionary propaganda in the army. The process of introducing a position and responsibilities imposed by official instructions are analyzed in the article. The main duties of the chaplains involved conducting talks and speaking to the soldiers. The article provides data on the appointment, transfer and dismissal of priests from the position of a chaplain. The most competent and experienced clergy were employed. However, in some armies this position was vacant for a long time, while in others there was a turnover of priests. The article also describes activities of the chaplains in the armies and expands on interaction with regimental priests. The observations of the chaplains enable to conclude about the decline in the spirit of the military clergy. The subject of the speeches, its compliance with the instructions of the protopresbyter are considered. The article focuses on the issue of the attitude of soldiers to chaplains and their speeches. It ranged from benevolence to explicit discontent and aggression. Although contemporaries praised the work of the military clergy, the reports reflected a less positive perception. Some chaplains did not fulfill the duties assigned to them; they allowed evasion from service in demoralized military units, familiarity with officers. The work of conscientious priests could not bring about serious results in the current social and political situation. The article was prepared on the basis of archival materials not previously published.