Abstract
Wartime religiosity among Ukrainian Christian soldiers reveals a spectrum of spiritual responses shaped by personal experience, cultural identity, and institutional dynamics. Interview-based evidence indicates that war influences religious engagement in diverse and often contradictory ways. For many, religiosity intensifies during moments of danger, functioning more as a coping mechanism than a transformation of belief. Institutional realignment may also reflect broader socio-political changes, as soldiers gravitate toward religious communities that resonate with their evolving values. For some, the adoption of Norse mythology illustrates the fluidity and adaptability of religious identity in wartime. Simultaneously, confrontations with theodicy may give rise to both deepened faith and profound disillusionment. These varied responses challenge assumptions of a uniform religious reaction to conflict, revealing a complex interplay between individual belief, military culture, and existential crisis. While some soldiers find solace in faith, others disengage entirely—underscoring the need for a more nuanced understanding of wartime religiosity as contingent upon personal, cultural, and situational factors. Future research should investigate the role of chaplaincy and religious institutions in addressing the moral and theological dilemmas of war, as well as the evolving nature of faith in post-conflict settings.
Recommended Citation
Karlsson, Alexander
(2025)
"Faith on the Frontlines: Exploring the Religiosity of Ukrainian Soldiers During War,"
Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe: Vol. 45
:
Iss.
6
, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55221/2693-2229.2645
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/ree/vol45/iss6/2