The influence of the military priesthood on the results of military operations in World War I

The ascetic service, personal exploits and offerings of the military priesthood in World War I did not prevent the collapse of the Russian army during this war. Against the backdrop of the rapid secularization of Russian life and the deterioration of the situation on the battlefront and political situation at home, the efforts of the military clergy were doomed. Acting on their deep faith, feeling responsibility for the state of the souls of soldiers and officers, Russian military priests on the war fronts showed personal courage and heroism, were decorated with military awards, but could not reverse the negative development of the situation on the battlefront, which was aggravated by the situation in the rear, the weakness of command, and military bureaucracy. The priest was not allowed to touch on political topics, which significantly weakened his opposition to radical socialist propaganda. The February Revolution undermined the institutional foundations of the institution of military priests, who began to quickly lose the already narrow possibilities of influence on the situation in military units. The Church’s official position on the continuation of the war came into insoluble conflict with the sentiments of the soldier masses and most of the people; persecutions began against the priests. Having fulfilled their duty, even if they did not exert a strategic influence on the course of hostilities, military clergy demonstrated loyalty to their faith and patriotic duty.