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Murder is a sin. How to Serve?translated

September 29, 2026 · 1 min read

Reader's Question:

Greetings. Murder is a great sin, even in war, though it may be for the defense of people. But if they conscript me into the army and such a task is required, I probably wouldn't be able to do it. I have never had such a character trait, such firmness. But what if I am forced to fight, and I cannot carry out such an order? How can I live after that? I want to serve, but how to overcome such fear?

Mikhail

Answer by the Priest:

Father Evgeny Chebykin

Greetings, Mikhail.

Yes, you are correct: in our turbulent times, practically any Russian man may be conscripted into the Armed Forces.

I am not deeply involved in this topic, but there are different types of military units. In some, soldiers do not directly participate in combat and perform other tasks.

If you are indeed required to fulfill your military duty, find out how to join such units. But as much as possible, I cannot say more on the matter.

Try to regularly attend divine services, confess, receive communion, read spiritual books, and do good deeds.

May God help you.

Also read:

WHAT DID THE ARMY GIVE ME?

To Whom Should One Pray for Those in the Army?

Christianity and Pacifism. 11 Questions about the Church and War...

Source: Журнал ФОМА  ·  Read the full story →
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💬 Comments (2) 🌐 Translate comments
Р
Румяна Петрова
Михаил, ти пишеш, че нямаш такава твърдост в характера. Аз имам двама зетя, единият беше в казармата през 90-те и казваше същото – че не може да стреля по човек. После го сложиха в кухнята и в склада, и така си изкара службата. Може и за тебе да има такъв вариант, без да се мъчиш предварително.
В
Васил Костов
Михаил, Румяна Петрова точно казва – моят братовчед също беше такъв, мек човек, не можеше и мравка да смачка. Пратиха го в кухнята на поделението и цялата служба мина без да стреля. Ако те вземат, питай веднага за тилови части или снабдяване. Господ да ти дава разум.
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