INTRODUCTION OF THE INSTITUTION OF MILITARY CHAPLAINS FOR GALICIAN GREEK CATHOLICS IN THE AUSTRIAN IMPERIAL ARMY (1846 – 1867)

This article highlights introduction of the chaplaincy service for Galician Greek Catholics in the Austrian Imperial army. Research is primarily based on military regulations, church records, and correspondence of church hierarchy. It is proved that in order to meet the spiritual needs of Greek Catholic soldiers, in 1779 the position of chaplain was established in two garrisons, and in 1830 it was allowed to invite priests and visit the nearest Greek Catholic churches. Only two chaplains were unable to meet the spiritual care needs of all Galician Greek Catholics in the Austrian army. In response to an appeal to the emperor by the bishops of Lviv and Przemyśl, chaplaincy was introduced in 1846 in 8 units, a significant proportion of which were Greek Catholics. During 1846-1867, Greek Catholic chaplains served in 7–8 regiments. Over this time, 18 priests held the position of regimental chaplain. Greek Catholic chaplains accompanied the troops in peacetime and during armed conflicts. On the basis of the study of the sources, it was found that the powers and functions of the Greek Catholic regimental priest were the same as those of the Roman Catholic priest, with an allowance for the peculiarities of the rite. Registration of the vital records was left to the Latin clergy. The material support of a Greek Catholic military priest was better than that of a parish priest, which was a motivating factor for some clergy to choose to serve as a spiritual pastor in the army. The analysed biographical records of the chaplains for the years indicated (social background, age, influence of military service on their future career, etc.) made it possible to draw up an average portrait of a Greek Catholic military priest. The introduction of the Greek Catholic chaplaincy service raised the status of the Church and allowed recruits from Galicia to maintain unity with their denomination during their long years of service.