Life as a value: conversation about crisis and support in service conditionstranslated

On August 12, 2026, the head of the diocesan department for interaction with the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies, the rector of the Church of Panteleimon the Healer, Priest Alexander Kossov, at the request of the leadership of the Office of the Russian Guard for the Kirov Region, held a conversation in the Office of Private Security (located at the address: Kirov, Oleg Koshevoy St., 6a). The topic was not easy: “The view of the Russian Orthodox Church on a suicidal act.” The view of the Russian Orthodox Church on suicide is truly complex: it contains both severity and mercy. The essence can be formulated this way: the Church views conscious suicide as a grave sin, but at the same time always leaves room for leniency if there are special circumstances. Why is this considered a sin? In Orthodox belief, life is a gift from God. Suicide is perceived as an act in which a person rejects this gift, shows distrust of God’s Providence, and succumbs to despair.

Often the basis is a lack of belief that God allows difficulties for a reason, but for the purpose of spiritual admonition. Such an act interrupts earthly life prematurely, and the person is deprived of the opportunity to repent. Therefore, canonically...