A new course titled “Chaplaincy” has been introduced at the Kyiv Theological Schools of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The Academic Council of the Kyiv Theological Academy (KTA), chaired by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, decided to introduce a specialized course titled “Chaplaincy.” The curriculum was developed by military psychologist and chaplain Archpriest Nikolai Nesprava, who holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Doctor of Theology. This was reported by , the Information and Education Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The course combines theoretical knowledge and practical training necessary for pastoral work in modern conditions. The curriculum covers the theological and legal aspects of ministry, the fundamentals of crisis psychology, working with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and Viktor Frankl’s methods of logotherapy.

Particular attention is given to preparing clergy to provide spiritual care to military personnel, the wounded, families of the fallen, as well as patients in medical facilities and individuals in need of social rehabilitation. ““A distinctive feature of the course will be the combination of theoretical and practical training, including situational simulations of real-life scenarios,” — as emphasized in a statement from the KDA press service.

As a reminder, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine previously approved amendments to the “Regulations on the Procedure for Issuing a Mandate for the Right to Conduct Military Chaplaincy Activities” within the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the new amendments, priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are permanently prohibited from performing chaplaincy duties in military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.