Metropolitan Longin: They can imprison me, but not the whole of Ukraine
Metropolitan Longin in front of the courthouse. Photo: UOJ
On November 17, 2023, hundreds of believers came to the Hertsa District Court to support Metropolitan Longin during the hearing of the case against him, according to the UOJ correspondent.
While the hearings were underway, the clergy and parishioners prayed and served akathists.
Leaving the courtroom, the metropolitan addressed everyone gathered with words of gratitude in Romanian and Ukrainian.
"I am very grateful to you for your love, for your faith, for being true Christians of our Orthodox Church," said Metropolitan Longin. "We want peace and tranquility, we want God's blessing for everyone. We pray for our country. We have always served it and will continue to serve it because it is our country. But there are people who want to disgrace us. Lord, forgive them all. They can kill me, they can arrest me, but they cannot arrest the entire country. Always remain faithful to God, our canonical Orthodox Church, and our beloved Metropolitan Onuphry in our hearts and souls. I bless you all to pray and thank you for your support."
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the lawyer of Metropolitan Longin died from poisoning.
Read also
Dumenko: The enemy has destroyed Ukranian liturgical language for centuries
Epifaniy assured that "imperial invaders" burned Ukrainian liturgical literature.
TRC releases previously detained priest of UOC's Ovruch Eparchy
Believers are thanked for their support and prayers.
Vance: A broken culture tends to turn young people into androgynous idiots
U.S. Vice President stated that modern society seeks to erase differences between genders, shaping people "who think the same, talk the same, and act the same."
In Volyn, UOC priests receive gratitude from AFU for volunteering
The clergy noted that they have always been supported by parishioners and communities willing to share their last resources.
Vance: We don't worry about earthly rewards but how we're doing before God
The Vice President of America shared that he is doing his best to follow God’s will.
Vance: Death is a bad thing, but losing your soul is much more terrible
"The fundamental tenant of the Christian faith is that the Son of God became man, He died and then He raised Himself from the dead," the U.S. Vice President reminded Americans.