On September 10, 2024, Archpriest Sergiy Klyaev, head of assistance to military hospitals from the Synodal Department for Church Charity and Social Service, held a seminar at the Youth Center of the Pyatigorsk Diocese.
There were 25 priests, including all the dean of the diocese.
Father Sergius told the clergy about the specifics of priestly ministry in hospitals and hospitals in Donbass and Kursk, and answered questions from the audience. In early November, the first group of priests of the Pyatigorsk diocese, eight people, will go to hospitals and clinics in the conflict zone.
«Priests of the Pyatigorsk diocese can take one of the areas of ministry in hospitals and take turns in supporting the wounded,— Archpriest Sergiy Klyaev noted. — I spoke about the specifics of our ministry in Kursk and Donbass. So far, eight priests wanted to go to the hospitals, but perhaps in time there will be more willing»
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Today priests from different dioceses of Russia regularly travel to hospitals in the conflict zone to provide spiritual assistance to the wounded. Since July 2023, 158 shifts, 131 priests from 31 dioceses and eight monasteries have traveled. Also since August 9, priests from various dioceses of Russia regularly travel to hospitals in Kursk. During this time, five shifts, five priests from three dioceses have traveled.
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