"A Priest Doesn't Have All the Answers — And That's Okay": A Couple from Volyn on Supporting Veterans and the Value of Trauma-Informed Training

Father Matviy Blyznyuk serves as rector of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village of Rachyn, Volyn region, and also serves as the second priest at the historic St. Catherine's Church in Lutsk.

Supporting service members has long been part of his ministry. His father is a military chaplain, and for several years Father Matviy helped organize camps for children who had lost a parent in military service.

His wife, Maria, is training to become a physical therapist. She also teaches Sunday school, sings in the church choir, and actively supports her husband in parish ministry.

Together, they attended the training "Working with Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)", convinced that goodwill alone is not enough when accompanying veterans and their families.

Supporting Veterans Requires Teamwork

For Father Matviy, one of the training's most important lessons was understanding the limits of a priest's role.

"A priest is only one part of the support system available to military personnel and veterans. We should never work in isolation. We need to cooperate with psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and other specialists."

He believes that helping veterans rebuild their lives after military service requires a multidisciplinary approach.

"A priest doesn't have the answers to every question — and that's perfectly normal. Some situations are complex and require time, professional expertise, and collaboration. The training reminded me that we need to approach each person with greater sensitivity and look for an individual path to supporting them."

Understanding Rather Than Fearing

Maria, who has experience communicating with veterans, says that one of the greatest challenges is learning how to approach people who have experienced war without unintentionally causing additional distress.

"When you meet service members living with physical injuries or psychological trauma, it's essential to know how to communicate in a way that doesn't become another trigger. Instead, we should help create a sense of safety, healing, and relief — both emotionally and physically."

For her, the training offered a new perspective.

"I realized that when soldiers return home, they don't need to be feared — they need to be understood. They need to hear words that reassure them they have a place where they belong, people who will stand by them, and a community that won't leave them alone with their struggles."

Learning From One Another

Although Father Matviy was already familiar with many of the concepts discussed during the training, he says the experience helped him see them through a new lens.

"The information itself wasn't entirely new, but it encouraged me to rethink what I already knew and what I had experienced. Just as valuable was the opportunity to learn from other participants. Everyone brought different stories, different experiences, and practical insights that enriched the discussion."

Knowledge That Everyone Needs

The couple believes these training opportunities should extend well beyond the clergy.

"Everyone should have this knowledge. Trauma and PTSD have become part of our everyday reality. Just as our military defends us on the front line, we need to become a place of healing when they return home — so they know they are welcome, supported, and able to rebuild their lives."

The project "Clergy and Communities in Support of Mental Health: Innovative Support Practices During the War in Ukraine" is implemented by Eleos-Ukraine in partnership with DanChurchAid and Norwegian Church Aid in Ukraine, with financial support from the Government of Norway (NORAD), in cooperation with the Kyiv Orthodox Theological Academy and the Lviv Orthodox Theological Academy.