"Knowledge Is Never Superfluous": A Military Chaplain on Patrols, Psychology, and Why Bringing Joy Is Also Part of Ministry

Father Ivan Fitel serves as a military chaplain with a separate battalion of Ukraine's 704th Brigade. After graduating from the Kyiv Orthodox Theological Academy, he signed a military contract and began his service as a chaplain.

"I felt called to become a priest, and then I followed the path of military chaplaincy," he says.

For Father Ivan, military chaplaincy is about much more than conducting services or administering the sacraments.

Much of his ministry takes place during patrols, in conversations at positions, and through simply being present with service members. His goal, he says, is to bring what he calls "a sense of joy" into lives shaped by war.

"I try to remind them that God is close — that He is with them even in the hardest moments. In times of trial, we can become a source of strength for one another."

Whenever possible, Father Ivan also delivers humanitarian assistance collected by volunteers.

"It's another way of showing that the Church supports people not only with words, but also through practical action. The soldiers truly appreciate it, and they always ask us to come back."

Father Ivan attended the trauma and PTSD training after being encouraged by a fellow priest. It was already his second training through the project.

The experience reinforced the importance of combining pastoral care with a basic understanding of psychology.

"If a priest thinks he already knows everything, he's mistaken. Knowledge is never superfluous. Psychology provides a foundation that every priest should have. Unfortunately, many of us received very little preparation in this area — or none at all."

One of the most valuable lessons for him was learning to recognize the boundaries of his own role.

"Sometimes a person needs more than pastoral support — they need professional treatment. A priest should be able to recognize those situations and help the person take the next step by referring them to the right specialist."

Father Ivan hopes he will rarely have to use what he learned.

"God willing, as little of this knowledge as possible will be needed. But this is the reality of war. And knowledge is never superfluous."

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.