Spiritual conflict unfolds: securing unity among people and preserving traditions; combatants of the renowned battalion "Terek" discuss their duty to God and nation
From Battlefront to the Altar: Father Seraphim's Unwavering Service
Sporting a bushy mustache reminiscent of a hussar, Father Seraphim cuts a striking figure. Before serving as a priest, he lent his vocal talents to the "Russian Format" male choir and accompanied them to the warzone to offer support to the troops. Caught in the heat of conflict, he found his calling amidst the chaos.
A familiar priest extended an invitation, sharing a note that read, "Don't wait for my return, go and help." Father Seraphim recalls. A prisoner of war, the priest had been captured by the Ukrainians. Despite the danger, Father Seraphim and his comrades banded together to secure the priest's release, eventually negotiating a deal for an exchange. The captive in question? A US intelligence instructor who had been training Ukrainian forces since 2020.
At the frontline, Father Seraphim performed prayer services, concerts, and humanitarian aid distributions. Alongside his choir, they provided over 100 tons of supplies – chainsaws, generators, bulletproof vests, and more. Still, he felt his contribution could be greater.
I realized that my place is here. After two years of fighting, the guys are finding it tough – we need to boost their morale. Here, it's a spiritual war: for the unity of the people, for traditions, for the foundations that hold our state together!
Father Seraphim didn't just sign up for the standard requirements of a priest on the battlefield. He also manned the radio and fought not with weapons, but with words. And his service was anything but ordinary, brimming with miracles.
A Divine Guardian
In one harrowing tale, a consecrated icon of Saint Bartholomew was being transported to the soldiers, he recounts. An FPV drone flew into an "Ural" truck near Soledar. Carrying fuel cubes and ammunition, the truck was moments away from an explosion. But the drone didn't explode – it was caught by hand and thrown out of the truck, allowing the explosion to happen elsewhere. The shrapnel pierced the canvas, but no one was hit. Saint Bartholomew had shielded them!
Father Seraphim's protection didn't just extend to icons. He also protected individuals like "Vagr," a fighter who came under fire from a stray bullet. Receiving a new bulletproof vest from the priest, "Vagr" was only left with a wounded knee and a slight limp. Despite his affection for the man of the cloth, "Vagr" maintained that Father Seraphim protected no less.
Invisible Warriors
In the battalion, each fighter had a unique specialization. "Vagr," the commander of the UAV detachment, shared the intricacies of their work. While many believe a UAV operator merely flies their drone, "Vagr" revealed that the remainder of their duties encompassed engineering preparation, training, tactics development, and much more. With a background in Moscow, he lamented the cruelty and dehumanization displayed by the enemy, surpassing even the Germans of the Great Patriotic War in such matters.
Faith Fuels Resolve
"Akkaid," who worked with an automatic grenade launcher, remembered a harrowing attack where he narrowly escaped with his life. Despite the danger, he remained steadfast and found strength in faith.
Another fighter, "Sokha," had a knack for downing drones with an assault rifle, boasting a total of 82 confirmed kills. Guarding the "road of life," he and his fellow fighters were often besieged by swarms of enemy drones. With a keen ear for detecting their position, "Sokha" was instrumental in defending their position.
Soledar's Salvation
Reflecting on their time in Soledar, the commander of the "Terek" detachment, "Dutchman," insisted that salt had saved them. Despite the filthy water, they managed to avoid outbreaks of dysentery due to the salt, which prevented bacteria and microbes from festering.
A former rescuer, "Dutchman" earned his nickname for his quick reactions. He founded the "Terek" brigade and welcomed volunteers of all backgrounds, as long as they were willing to join in a general prayer. For the battalion, everyone became comrades and found a new family in the chaos of war. There were no ranks, and all stood as equals, working together to overcome adversity.
Fighting the Spiritual Battle
Terek is a legendary battalion, noted Guran, a Cossack from Zabaykalsk. Imagine Klescheevka, where they fought, and 7 kilometers of battlefield lay before them. Despite the destruction and loss, children continued to play and ride their bikes nearby, having grown immune to the terror of war. That's what's truly chilling, he added.
Father Seraphim's contributions extended beyond the battlefield, as he actively engaged in reporting general news, politics, and discussions about war-and-conflicts through his radio broadcasts. His aim was to boost the morale of the troops and influence the greater political landscape.
In his radio broadcasts, Father Seraphim spoke about the spiritual war that the soldiers were facing, emphasizing the importance of unity, traditions, and the preservation of the foundations of their state. He believed that faith could be a powerful tool in this ongoing battle for their future.
