From his perspective, Chaplain (Col.) Alexander Webster believes there’s a profound importance with being a priest for those in harms way. He has visited Eastern Orthodox Soldiers throughout Middle East combat zones and, since June, is settling into his new assignment at Fort Belvoir.

As the installation’s first-ever Eastern Orthodox priest, there are several missions to be aware of. Webster knows this from experience, but notes one other responsibility that goes along with his duties.

“Wherever a chaplain goes, it’s about spreading the faith and giving people support. Any religion instills that,” he said. “Showing people, or even telling them how much God loves them, can leave an impression that lasts a lifetime.”

Webster was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1985, three years after his ordination as an Eastern Orthodox priest. After two decades with the Virginia Army National Guard, he transferred back to the Reserves and accepted a promotion to colonel in 2004. He was then assigned to the Military District of Washington where he was mobilized on active duty to serve a dual mission.

From June 2005 through May 2008, Webster was the Joint Plans and Operations Chaplain at Fort McNair, in addition to being the Army’s Theatre Orthodox Asset for Southwest Asia, which took him to places like Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan.

“At Fort McNair, my duties focused on planning and coordinating crisis ministry response to natural or terrorist disasters. That’s to make
sure if another 9/11 should happen, God forbid, or another type of major emergency, we’re prepared and ready to act on a moment’s notice,” Webster said.

“While overseas, I visited troops and made seven, 29-day tours. Doing that is personally gratifying because these brave men and women are putting so much on the line to protect us,” he continued. “Blessing Soldiers before they go off and fight is what I’m put there to do. Then, like everyone else, I pray for their return and for the day they can be reunited with their families,” he said. 

At Belvoir, Webster says he will lean heavily on five particular missions. One of those is assisting the chaplain at DeWitt Army
Community Hospital with Warriors in Transition. To that end, Webster plans on making home visits to those with difficulties getting around on their own, while also helping families sort out any changes in routine.

Another mission is assisting Soldiers and their families with deployment. As a member of the voluntary association Hearts Apart, Webster will focus on the emotional and spiritual side of life through various activities and movies.

“It boosts morale and brings people together who all share the same feelings about being separated from a loved one,” he said. “We remind them that what matters most is having each other and to have hope. Just being alive is reason enough to hope.”

While continuing his obligations toward emergency preparedness and offering diversity around the installation through the Eastern Orthodox faith, Webster will also handle next- of-kin notifications.

Though it’s something he would like to avoid, he understands his role and the need to be ready for the unexpected. 

“I’ve done it before and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life,” Webster said. “The widow must know before anyone else and that’s the way it has to be. As much as we care for the wounded and survivors of a war, we must also honor the dead and reach out to that Soldier’s family when they need our support the most.”

Just as Webster is getting to know everyone around him, he’s hoping to meet many more through his Divine Liturgy, which will be held once a month at 9 a.m. inside Fairfax Chapel. The next is Wednesday and is open to the public.

“I’ve discovered that we’re a high demand, low-density faith group. In an age of change, the Orthodox faith offers direct continuity,” he said. “I believe that’s what draws people. We haven’t changed on who Jesus Christ is, or who we are as human beings. The truth hasn’t changed.”

For more information on the Eastern Orthodox religion, call Chaplain Webster at 703-806-3958.