Metropolitan Longin: My case is under the control of President Zelensky
Metropolitan Longin near the court. Photo: spzh.news
Metropolitan Longin stated that the criminal case initiated against him under the charge of "inciting interreligious discord" is under the control of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He made this statement addressing the believers who were waiting for the bishop after another court hearing, as reported by the UOJ correspondent.
"Today's trial is unfair. For two years, we have been talking, shouting to our Constitution guarantor, but the President does not hear us, he wants to finish us off. The Governor of Chernivtsi Oblast said, 'Finish Zhar (Metropolitan's last name – Ed.), because everything is under the control of the President, it is on his desk.' They want to finish off our Orthodox faith, our Church," he said.
Metropolitan Longin also called on the international community to influence the Ukrainian authorities, which, according to him, have crossed all boundaries in terms of persecutions against Christians.
"We ask the whole world, please tell them to stop finishing off the Ukrainian people. We served this state with honor and pride. Aren't you ashamed, dear leaders? Where is the Constitution of our state? Where are human rights? Where is freedom of religion? We will no longer allow mockery of our priests, of our people," added the hierarch.
As reported by the UOJ, hundreds of people rallied in Bucharest in support of Metropolitan Longin.
Read also
Metropolitan Serhiy Led the Festive Liturgy at the Kreshchatyk Monastery
At the UOC's St. John the Theologian Monastery in Bukovyna, hundreds of faithful celebrated the patronal feast.
Mystery donor hides gold coins in English churches to help parishes
An Anglican parish in the village of Melling found gold coins beneath the altar and sold them to repair the church, avoiding closure.
Met. Anthony opposes recognizing LGBT lifestyle as normal for EU accession
The UOC Chancellor commented on calls to support the rights of LGBT individuals as one of the alleged conditions for Ukraine’s European integration.
Analyst on Lavra pantheon: Zelensky wants to strike Church where it hurts
According to Bondarenko, there is no need to place the pantheon specifically in the Lavra – the president is driven by cynicism and a desire to hurt believers.
Archaeologists discover 4th-century Christian basilica in Italy
Italian authorities decided to revise a residential development plan in order to preserve the archaeological find from the Late Antique period.
EU accused of ignoring persecution of Armenian Church
Nikol Pashinyan accuses senior clergy of supporting the violent overthrow of the government.