Military recruits offered comfort from God’s Word

RUSSIA — Every year, thousands of young Russian men become liable for military service. While carrying out this service is seen as an honour and as their duty as Russian citizens, being posted far away from family and friends for two years, possibly in conflict areas, can be a difficult time for them. This is why the Bible Society in Russia is working to provide them with comfort from God’s Word.

Last year, the Bible Society provided Bibles to the libraries of military training schools through its Bibles for the Military project. This year, it has come into more direct contact with young recruits through its involvement in Young Soldier Day, which takes place every April. This event serves several purposes: encouraging patriotic sentiment, commemorating important historical events and restoring links between the Russian military and the Orthodox Church.

On April 28, Bible Society staff were among the guests of the Orthodox Church at a ceremony at the Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary in Moscow. They joined with religious leaders, military leaders and government officials to commemorate two military heroes of the 14th century, Alexander Peresvet and Andrew Oslyabya, and to show their support to 300 young men who were about to start their military service.

As part of the ceremony, Bible Society Executive Director Anatoly Rudenko handed each recruit a copy of the Book of Acts in contemporary Russian. “The first apostles were not only men of faith and prayer,” he told the recruits. “They also showed courage, endurance and a keen mind, virtues that Russian soldiers have always been famous for.”

In its ongoing ministry to military personnel, the Bible Society is also planning to present Bibles to naval recruits at the dedication of new warships in Vladivostok in July.