Ihor Syniakov is a volunteer and the first officially appointed Orthodox Jewish chaplain in the history of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He holds rabbinical ordination, has been a long-time member of the Jewish community of Dnipro, and serves as a chaplain of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine.
Since 2022, he has systematically visited servicemen along the entire front line to provide moral and spiritual support, offered psychological assistance to internally displaced persons, and delivered humanitarian aid from benefactors. For his active civic stance, he has received numerous awards and distinctions, including the “For the Defense of Ukraine” award from the President of Ukraine.
Ihor Syniakov joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the summer by signing a contract. Also in the summer, he received official certification from the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, confirming his right to conduct chaplaincy activities in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This enables him to provide spiritual, moral, and social support to servicemen in accordance with state standards.
“I have long dreamed of becoming part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I am proud to have joined the 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Air Assault Forces, whose soldiers are currently fighting in the most active sectors of the front. My motto is: God is One, Ukraine is One, the Ukrainian people are united, and there is a divine soul in everyone,” emphasized the head of the Chaplaincy Service of the 7th Rapid Response Corps.
The top priority Ihor Syniakov sets for himself in this position is that every serviceman of the corps should feel spiritual support and have faith in God and in themselves. That is why he is already visiting the corps’ units at training grounds, rest areas, and hospitals.
“If there is order in the mind and soul, there will be order in actions as well. Chaplaincy work is like existential psychology. Therefore, support for servicemen must be provided at every level of service—from the very beginning and through any crisis situations,” he noted.
