"The situation is interesting in spiritual sense, it reminds of a big convent without Internet, television and almost without a telephone. All servicemen are involved in sport activities, they have a great demand in reading," the hierarch said in his interview with the Pobeda radio.
Russian air base Hmeimim in Syria reminds of a monastery to Bishop Antony of Akhtyubinsk and Yenotaevka.
"The situation is interesting in spiritual sense, it reminds of a big convent without Internet, television and almost without a telephone. All servicemen are involved in sport activities, they have a great demand in reading," the hierarch said in his interview with the Pobeda radio.
The bishop noted that the servicemen participated in pastoral conversations with great interest.
"This informational blockade helps them refresh their conscience, in result they have a demand to talk about important spiritual moments. It impressed me much," he confessed.
The church official said he saw "an absolutely new face of our military forces there."
"Not only weapons and outfit, but their new way of thinking impressed me. It was seen in their discipline, in organization of service, which we witnessed during the week. It differed so much from all the things I saw before that I sincerely rejoiced," the bishop said.