The question of whether participating in war and using weapons against the enemy is a sin remains one of the most pressing for Ukrainian soldiers. Chaplain Nadia Klynska of the 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade is convinced that defending one’s family, fellow citizens, and country does not contradict Christian values; rather, it is a moral obligation for every person.
This is reported by Finway
The Moral Aspect of War: The Chaplain’s Opinion
According to Nadia Klynska, soldiers often turn to her with questions about faith and the moral side of war. Many are concerned about whether they become sinners when they take up arms and are forced to fight. The chaplain explains that in the difficult conditions of war, inaction can be more dangerous than opposing the aggressor.
Klynska emphasizes that protecting innocent people, family, and homeland cannot be equated with killing out of revenge or hatred. She stresses that in the Holy Scriptures, the concept of murder is primarily associated with hatred, not with the necessity of defense. According to her, Ukrainian soldiers defend the country not out of a desire to cause harm, but out of love for their children, parents, homes, and their land.
“Soldiers very often ask such questions. During conversations, many come to the conclusion that it may even be a sin not to stand up for the protection of people. After all, according to the Word of God, a murderer is one who is guided by hatred. We defend the civilian population not out of hatred, but out of love for our people and our country,” the chaplain noted.
She also points out that negative emotions towards the enemy, who has come with weapons to foreign land, are a natural human reaction. However, the main motivation for Ukrainian defenders remains not hatred, but the desire to protect their loved ones from danger.
Defending the Country as a Responsibility to Family
Klynska gives an example: every father or mother will unhesitatingly defend their own child if it is threatened. In her opinion, defending the country during wartime is primarily an expression of responsibility for one’s loved ones, for one’s home, and for the future of the state. She emphasizes that Ukrainian soldiers protect their land, city, and family, and this is an expression of love, not enmity.
The chaplain also notes that war brings serious challenges not only for soldiers but also for their families. Due to emotional exhaustion, prolonged separation, and different experiences of life on the front lines and in the rear, crises in relationships, misunderstandings, and even divorces arise. Soldiers face hurtful remarks such as “we didn’t send you there” or accusations of supposedly profiting from the war, which is particularly painful for those defending the country.
Currently, the 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade is calling for people to join the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Each candidate is offered a position according to their skills and wishes, with the possibility of serving in both rear and combat positions, including in units of robotic and drone systems. The main goal is to provide guarantees for everyone who decides to stand up for the defense of the homeland.