Chaplain Dialogues with Orthodox Military Chaplains
Bagrow, center, with Georgian Orthodox priests.
While in port at Batumi, Georgia, Church of God and U.S. Navy Chaplain, Lieutenant Commander Philip Bagrow, had a unique opportunity to meet with two Georgian Orthodox priests. Father Theodor and Father Nikos are both part of the newly created military chaplain program in Georgia.
After Russia’s invasion in 2008, the military, who have always included the blessings of the Church prior to going to battle, realized that a constant presence was far more valuable to individual members of the military. Father Theodor is assigned to the Georgian Special Operation Forces Unit and Father Nikos works with the Military Training Command. Both Chaplains work in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi, and made the trip to Batumi just to speak with Chaplain Bagrow. Chaplain Bagrow, along with Religious Program Specialist (RP1) Kirby and two other members of USS JOHN L. HALL (JLH), spent several hours together, visiting local churches, and most importantly sharing ideas and work experiences. Using an interpreter, the three Chaplains found that they had most things in common ~ primarily providing spiritual guidance and the safety of confidentiality for any service member to speak about any and all stresses and crisis in their lives.
The following day, both Georgian Chaplains attended the reception held on JLH for public dignitaries and senior military members, touring the ship and cementing the new relationship between the two Corps. “Despite language and some doctrinal interpretations, we were all three remarkably alike in our goals and understanding of our missions as Chaplains,” said LCDR Bagrow, “In the end, it’s about taking care of our troops.” Chaplain Bagrow also said that he hopes this is the beginning for future dialogue and perhaps even joint training on the Chaplain side of the house.
Church of God Chaplain, Phil Bagrow, is a 1994 graduate of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, Cleveland, Tennessee and is presently deployed with and serving as the Command Chaplain aboard the USS John L. Hall. He and his wife Susi reside at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.
