On May 14, as a part of the Science Days at the National University of Ostroh Academy, a panel discussion entitled 'A Chaplaincy Model for Ukraine' was held. Dmytro Shevchuk, Vice-Rector for Research and Teaching, Doctor of Science (Philosophy), and Full professor, moderated the meeting.
"Every year, within the framework of the Science Days, we plan public events on important topics that are top priority for Ukraine today. Next year, Ostroh Academy will launch a new interdisciplinary educational programme, 'Chaplaincy Service'. In addition, together with Trinity International University, we held courses that were also devoted to chaplaincy. At Ostroh Academy, we are convinced that the development of chaplaincy, the creation of a chaplaincy model for Ukraine, its implementation and adaptation to current challenges and needs is one of the top priorities,"
The speakers of the panel discussion were:
- Andrii Olenchyk, programme coordinator of the Christian Rescue Service;
- Andrii Mishchenko, an officer of the Department for Interaction with Religious Organisations of the Military Chaplaincy Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Major of the Chaplaincy Service;
- Viacheslav Horshkov, the Head of the Religious Affairs Department of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience;
- Kateryna Yakunina, Cand.Sc. (History), Associate professor, Assistant Rector of the NaUOA for Strategic Development and Quality of Education;
- Valentyn Korenevych, a pastor of the Way of Truth Church of the All-Ukrainian Union of Evangelical Christian Baptist Churches, director and lecturer of the Bachelor's and Master's programmes in Pastoral and Chaplaincy Leadership at the Kyiv Theological Seminary;
- Andrii Hnapovskyi, the head of the organisational and communication department of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience.
During the meeting, the speakers spoke about the relevance of chaplaincy ministry. They shared their thoughts on the chaplaincy model for Ukraine.
Andrii Olenchyk focused on the peculiarities of chaplaincy during our country's independence. In particular, the Ukrainian Chaplaincy 1.0 began to form strongly and actively since the beginning of the Anti-Terrorist and Joint Forces Operation and the Ukrainian Chaplaincy 2.0, which emerged after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.
Andrii Mishchenko spoke about the main trends, opportunities and challenges facing the military chaplaincy service, the formation of the institute of military chaplaincy, and modern methods and approaches to developing the service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Kateryna Yakunina presented approaches to the interaction of education with the chaplaincy environment and the development of chaplaincy education. She introduced the new Master's programme, 'Chaplaincy Service', at Ostroh Academy and showed the benefits of studying there.
Valentyn Korenevych focused the participants' attention on the peculiarities of studying at the Pastoral and Chaplaincy Leadership programme at the Kyiv Theological Seminary and the training of chaplains.
Andrii Hnapovskyi shared information about the activities of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, in particular, in the field of military chaplaincy.
By the way, the Master's programme in chaplaincy was presented at Ostroh Academy on March 29, 2025, with the participation of the chaplaincy community and a representative of the Military Chaplaincy Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Enrolling in this programme this summer as part of the 2025 Admission Campaign will be possible.
