Chaplain from Brazil defends Ukraine

Padre, chaplain of the 2nd International Legion of Defense of Ukraine, grew up in Brazil among Ukrainians. His military family tradition, knowledge of history and faith eventually led him to the Legion. Here, through his daily service - both military and pastoral - the legionnaire motivates soldiers of different faiths from all over the world to fight back against the russian occupier side by side with Ukrainians.

- I have no call sign, says the military chaplain, “my name is Father Makariy. But the guys call me Padre. Because this word means Father in Portuguese and Spanish".

He has loved Ukraine since his childhood in Brazil

Padre is an Orthodox priest. He was born in Brazil, grew up in a small village. There was a large Ukrainian diaspora there. Therefore, since childhood, the legionnaire has been well acquainted with Ukrainian culture and history. And he has loved Ukraine since childhood. Later, when he entered the seminary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, he took a vow to serve God, Ukraine, and the Ukrainian people:

- I did not tell my family that I was here. I said I was going on a trip. I did not specify to which country. And when my mother found out that I was in Ukraine, I could not even imagine how nervous she was about it. And then she said nice words: “I am very glad that you took this mission to help our brothers in Ukraine. Be careful, your faith in God will protect you, son.

Knowledge of history cures illusions

Many foreigners come to the International Legion to help Ukrainian soldiers fight the enemy, but not everyone understands why russians came to kill Ukrainians on their territory and how deep the problem of russian-Ukrainian relations is.

- Often legionnaires come here with an illusion, says Padre. - They don't know what Ukraine is, what the war is, when this problem with the russians started, and what it is. I have my own groups on WhatsApp and Facebook. I write there every morning. I ask God for protection, love, and protection for the soldiers and their families. And after that, at about 6 p.m. every day, I send a motivational text, where I talk about Ukrainian history, culture, Ukrainian traditions, and how this problem began. Because the situation is not new. It is very, very old. The russians started the war in 2014, but the problem is much older.

In addition to spiritual matters, the Padre helps the legionnaires in any way he can. He helps unload things from trucks, helps with translation when they need an interpreter. Many of the guys in the Legion speak Spanish and do not understand either Ukrainian or English.

In the crosshairs of enemy IEDs

The active work of the chaplain in Ukraine was noticed by the enemy. The russians got hold of the priest's photos and began using them for their typical propaganda. Thus, they actively posted photos with the Padre on social media, calling him a Nazi:

- There is a russian group on Telegram. They put my photo there and said I was a warrior, a Nazi. These are terrible things. But my mission is a spiritual mission.

We cannot speak the language of the enemy

All his life, Padre dreamed of being a military chaplain because his whole family, including his father and grandfather, were military men:

- For me to be here and to be a chaplain in the Ukrainian army is a great gift, a gift from God. We say words. These words live in the heart of a soldier. My father always told me: When a man has no traditions, he is a dead man. I love this country as my country. I did not come here for money. I came here to serve God and to serve the people of this country. It is a great honor for me to be here. To help people, to help foreign soldiers. And I am very sad when people start speaking russian to me. It's disgusting to me. We cannot speak the language of the enemy. russians have always wanted to kill Ukrainians, the Ukrainian nationality, Ukrainian citizens.

The soul of the Legion

The Padre enjoys well-deserved respect among his flock - his brothers. He is the soul of the Legion in every sense of the word. The command speaks of the chaplain with sincere respect:

- He is a very bright personality, says Major Oleksandr Yakymovych, commander of the 2nd International Defense Legion of Ukraine. And he is very positive. The guys love him. And in fact, he helps with all the needs related to faith, representatives of all denominations and religions that can be found in our Legion.

Not about religion, but about God

Padre willingly shares the secret of such communication:

- We have soldiers of different faiths: Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Muslims. Some have faith, others do not. Some just want to learn more about God. I don't talk to them about religion, I talk about God. Because there is only one God. For example, there was a guy from Morocco. He is a Muslim. I read the Koran three times. And when I talk to him, I use words from the Koran to motivate him. And he looks at me: “Father, how do you know this?” - Because I have read your Book, and you have not (laughs - ed.). Our doors are open to everyone. We will never say that you are sinning, you are going to hell. No, we don't. We have some atheists. I tell them that no one is perfect (smiles - ed.). There is a joke in my country: “We can be atheists until death knocks, feminists until we are married, and communists until we are rich” (laughs).

The Padre is confident that repulsing Russia's large-scale invasion is not only about borders or territories, but, above all, about fighting against godlessness and universal evil:

- The Russians wanted to kill the Ukrainian faith back in the Soviet Union. They wanted to kill the faith in God. This country (Ukraine - ed.) is blessed by God.

Now a new flock, new brothers and a new home for the Padre are here:

- I have no intention of returning to my country after the war is over. I want to stay here in Ukraine and help Ukrainians. And I am ready to give my life for this nation.

The International Legions of Defense of Ukraine operate as special purpose battalions of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The personnel of the Legions are military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, enjoy the same rights, legal and social protection, and receive appropriate material, financial and other types of support. Foreign volunteers and citizens of Ukraine fight for Ukraine side by side in the Legions. For citizens of Ukraine, knowledge of a foreign language is not required to join the International Legion, but it is an advantage. For foreign volunteers, military service experience is not required but is an advantage.