October 12 – Military Chaplain Day

The Cross Charitable Organization sincerely congratulates all chaplains on the holiday!

We express our sincere gratitude to you for your dedication, support, and courage. Your service in the army is not only spiritual care, but also invaluable support for the Ukrainian military and society as a whole. You bring peace and hope in the most difficult moments, helping people find strength within themselves and believe in a better future.

The holiday of the Day of the Military Chaplain is celebrated in honor of St. Martin the Merciful, Bishop of Tours, who is considered the founder of the military chaplaincy and the patron saint of chaplains. Previously, in Ukraine, the date of the celebration was October 25, but after the transition to the New Julian calendar, it shifted to October 12.

Chaplaincy has deep roots that go back to the Middle Ages. In those days, priests accompanied the troops, providing spiritual support and performing rites. In Ukraine, the chaplaincy began to form in the 19th century, when the clergy began to operate in the army for the moral and spiritual elevation of soldiers. Today, chaplains play an important role in military units, becoming not only spiritual mentors, but also advisers in difficult life situations.

In 2025, Ukraine plans to officially approve the Day of the Military Chaplain, which will be a recognition of the importance of this profession. This holiday will symbolize society's gratitude for the chaplains' contribution to preserving the morale of the military, maintaining peace and harmony in the country. The establishment of this celebration will emphasize the importance of spiritual care in military units and oblige us all to remember those who serve and those who serve them in a spiritual sense.