Vladimir Putin Exempts Seminarians From Mobilization

FSSPX News ^ | 10/17/22 | RIA Novosti

[marshmallow]

The President of the Russian Federation has decided to exempt seminarians from the partial mobilization decree issued in September 2022 in order to increase the number of soldiers assigned to the special military operation in Ukraine.

The approximately eight thousand seminarians currently in the Russian Orthodox Church can breathe: they will be spared the partial mobilization decree of September 21, 2022 by Vladimir Putin, in order to hold a front line – a thousand kilometers strong – weakened by the recent Ukrainian counter-offensive in the Donbass.

Until October 5, the only ones exempted from this “partial mobilization” were the employees of the national military industry, at least “during the period of work in these organizations,” implying that there would be no more possibility of escaping mobilization in the event of a workers’ resignation or dismissal.

“As of today, our students - and their number rises to eight thousand - are protected by the new decree for which we are of course grateful to our president, because a future priest cannot take up arms with the intent to kill,” said Fr. Maxim Kozlov, an Orthodox priest in charge of religious studies for Russian seminarians, on October 5.

A decision that can be explained, for this Orthodox priest, because a seminarian “can and must defend his homeland differently. Historically, the priesthood has always been present on the front lines in difficult times, precisely for the spiritual support of soldiers, but not in the context of direct participation in hostilities,” he explained during the television program “The Church and the World” broadcast on the Russia 24 channel.

[for-q-clinton]

Applications to be a seminarian will increase 10000% next week.

[ansel12]

Evangelical and Baptist and all Christian seminarians exempt from the draft, that is normal.

[alexander_busek]

“As of today, our students - and their number rises to eight thousand - are protected by the new decree for which we are of course grateful to our president, because a future priest cannot take up arms with the intent to kill,” said Fr. Maxim Kozlov, an Orthodox priest in charge of religious studies for Russian seminarians, on October 5.

But couldn't the seminarians be assigned non-combat roles? Providing spiritual guidance and support? Or digging latrines, at least?

Regards,