I. A Brief Science of Morality for Warriors
The Gospel says: The soldiers also asked him (John the Baptist): what should we do? And he said to them: Do not offend anyone, do not slander, and be content with your salary (Luke 3:14).
Question. On what occasion did the soldiers have this conversation with John the Baptist?
Answer. When John the Baptist, denouncing the sins of people of different ranks who came to him, called them brood of vipers and demanded from them fruits worthy of repentance, that is, correction of life, then the whole people, and especially the soldiers, asked him what they should do to save their souls.
Question. From what words of John the Baptist can one draw a conclusion about the rank of soldiers in general?
Answer. Of those in which he approves and honors the rank of warriors in the same way as other ranks that contribute to piety, virtue and the salvation of the soul, for he does not advise warriors to leave their rank.
Question. Which of the words of John the Baptist can be borrowed as special instructions for soldiers?
Answer. Those that clearly state three special moral rules for warriors:
1) do not offend anyone, that is, do not act arrogantly and violently towards anyone;
2) do not slander, that is, when, for example, while on guard, you will have to testify to what happened during the guard before your eyes;
3) be content with your salary, that is, the content that is determined for you by the position and what is assigned to you by the title in which you are placed.
<…> God loves a good-natured world, and God blesses righteous warfare. For since there are non-peaceful people on earth, peace cannot be achieved without military help. An honest and trustworthy world for the most part must be conquered. And to preserve the acquired peace, it is necessary that the winner does not allow his weapons to rust.
So, Orthodox warriors, the Holy Church speaks to you in the word of David, inviting you at the same time to speak with her:
Blessed is the Lord, my rock, who teaches my hands to fight and my fingers to fight (Ps. 143:1).
It is with consolation that we see you going to defend the Fatherland. Fulfill your sacred duty, and do it all the better because you were freely called to this feat by your good will and love for the Fatherland. The more God, who loves voluntary sacrifices, will bless you, the more grateful the Fatherland will be to you if you continue and complete the feat so zealously begun.
If a house were attacked by robbers, who from the family, having the strength and opportunity, would not rise up to defend themselves, their loved ones and the common property? Shouldn’t we rebel with great self-sacrifice against the enemies who attacked our great home, Russia, without truth and, violating the laws of a fair war, allow themselves to commit predatory crimes and devastation?
Once upon a time, during an attack by foreigners on the land of the people of God, Jesse sent his three eldest sons to fight for the Fatherland; and then he sent the younger David to deliver food to them on the campaign, and this food bearer became a sudden warrior and conqueror of enemies. Just as the righteous sacrifice to the Fatherland what they love most, so the righteous God gives wondrous help and strength to noble self-sacrifice.
Brethren, by faith you too are the people of God, continue to demonstrate the people of God within yourself through your deeds. For such a people, God’s wondrous help will never fail.
II. Encouraging soldiers to live according to God's commandments
If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments and do them, then... you will drive out your enemies, and they will fall before you by the sword; five of you will drive out a hundred, and a hundred of you will drive out darkness, and your enemies will fall before you by the sword (Lev. 26:3,7-8).
Question. What is contained in these words?
Answer. God promises to make His chosen people victorious as a reward for keeping His commandments.
Question. What advice does this have for a warrior?
Answer. A warrior must live according to God’s commandments in order to obtain God’s blessing and help in time for the time of battle.
Once upon a time in Jerusalem, the same people at the same time had to build the city walls and be ready every minute to repel enemies: with one hand they did the work, and with the other they held the spear (Neh. 4:17). And such a particularly difficult feat was endured and accomplished by love for the native city. With both hands you can safely and unhindered do the work assigned to you as a villager or citizen. Do your peaceful work calmly, hardworkingly, honestly, for the contentment and good of your own life, but do not forget your sword, which the Fatherland may still need.
Keep the spirit of order, perfect obedience, and precision in performing duties, which is one of the distinctive advantages of a military rank, in your civil position, and easily extend it to others through a good example.
Do not forget that a good warrior, a lion against his enemies, must be a lamb among his own. Live meekly and lovingly, and save anger and thunder for the enemies of the Fatherland.
III. The Importance of Prayer for Warriors
…When Moses raised his hands, Israel prevailed, and when he lowered his hands, Amalek prevailed (Ex. 17:11).
Question. What event is this saying talking about?
Answer. The Amalekites attacked the Israelites in the desert, who were tired of their journey. Moses sent the Israeli soldiers under the leadership of Joshua to repel the attack, and he himself went to the mountain to pray with the raising of his hands. When his weary arms gave way and he weakened in prayer, then victory leaned towards the enemy, but when he renewed his prayer with renewed vigor, the Israelites gained the upper hand, until at last they achieved a complete victory.
Question. What advice can be drawn from this example for warriors?
Answer. A warrior, going against enemies, must pray and strengthen his courage with prayer. But to achieve success in battle, the prayerful feats of those who are not drafted into the military camp and are unarmed are important.
How is this? Look into it and you will understand.
If, during a war, prayer is required for this particular occasion and subject, then, of course, it is assumed that prayer for war can be useful. But it is known that not every prayer is equally effective. So, if our prayer for our brothers struggling in battle is unanimous, zealous, strong, pure, worthy, then it is capable of more or less assisting them in acquiring the surest guarantee of victories, God’s blessing and help. Thus, by laboring in prayer, we become real spiritual associates of the ascetics of warfare. But if our prayer for them is not unanimous, not zealous, not strong, not pure, not worthy, then because of these shortcomings it will be devoid of effect, and we will deprive our brothers who struggle for us of a certain share of the assistance (help) that could and should have been provided to them. If we completely avoid praying for them, then we become like cowardly warriors fleeing from the battlefield, who confuse and complicate the courageous.
In saying this, we do not in the least diminish the importance of independence, natural strength and ability, or the importance of military talents, art, and jealousy. Let us give justice to the fidelity, nobility, art, and courage of our leaders and warriors, but if prayer, God’s blessing and God’s help are also not words without meaning, then the Church and the people praying for the army are an important reinforcer for the army, and perhaps, in the eyes of the spirit, a troop that precedes victory, which depends on the strength and dignity of prayer.