Metropolitan Longin: It does not matter to God what nationality we are

Metropolitan Longin. Photo: a screenshot of the YouTube channel of the Bancheny Monastery

On 27 October 2023, Metropolitan Longin of Bancheny (UOC) reminded the faithful that for God, nationality does not matter.

During his sermon, the bishop noted that the temple is the house of God, "a house of prayer for all peoples", and whoever comes to the temple, "whether he/she speaks Ukrainian or Romanian or other languages – for all God is one and prayer is one" as "all people are brothers and sisters".

"How beautiful it is when God calls us all to Himself to come and save our souls. And that is why we are here today because we are in need of salvation," the bishop said.

He called on the faithful to lovingly forgive all offenders and pray for everyone "so that we can all be in heaven after this earthly life so that we can all live there forever with God".

"It doesn't matter what nationality we are. The most important thing is to be a child of God in heaven. There we will all be together, and there we will no longer have this (earthly) citizenship, but we will have spiritual and heavenly citizenship, and there we will all be brothers and sisters who loved God," Metropolitan Longin emphasised.

As earlier reported, Metropolitan Longin of Buncheny said that he intended to apply to international organisations to defend his rights, as well as the rights of Ukrainians who suffer because of the persecution of the UOC.

Read also

Iranian authorities accuse protesters of setting fire to 350 mosques

According to the head of Iran's Foreign Ministry, the arson attacks on mosques indicate the organized and externally supported nature of the riots.

Romanian Patriarchate opposes prostitution legalization in country

The Church noted that Holy Scripture and Orthodox Tradition consistently testify to the incompatibility of prostitution with spiritual life.

Poroshenko calls to cancel elections and focus on "language and faith"

The former president stated that an election campaign is unacceptable until the end of the war and proposed focusing the state's efforts on ideological priorities.

SBU confirms use of UOC hierarchs as "prisoner exchange fund"

The Security Service stated that UOC clergy were involved in exchanges when returning citizens from Russian captivity.

Report: 2,000 Christians killed and 3,000 attacked worldwide over two years

The report mentions the situation of Christians in Ukraine: it records the destruction of churches and threats to religious freedom.

U.S. Congresswoman appeals to Vatican over UOC persecution

The legislator linked appeals to the Vatican with complaints about UOC persecution and stated that US taxpayers' money should not be directed to a government that persecutes Christians.