Metropolitan Longin gets into a car accident

Metropolitan Longin (Zhar). Photo: Bancheny Monastery

On August 9, 2024, the car carrying Metropolitan Longin (Zhar) of Bancheny, along with five other people, was involved in a traffic accident.

According to UOJ, the bishop’s subdeacon was driving the vehicle. Due to rainy weather, he lost control of the car on a difficult section of the road, causing the vehicle to veer off the road.

Metropolitan Longin sustained the most severe injuries in the accident, while the other passengers were mostly unharmed. The bishop is currently in intensive care.

Sources from UOJ report that the day before, Metropolitan Longin had visited a hospital for medical procedures due to serious heart problems.

The accident occurred near a railway crossing in the village of Strumok, Sokyryany district, where locals say the roads are in poor condition, filled with potholes and bumps.

In addition to the difficult road conditions, the rain made it challenging for the driver to navigate a sharp turn.

This morning, some media outlets falsely reported that Metropolitan Longin was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. This is outright misinformation, as the bishop does not consume alcohol. He has been suffering from serious heart issues, has experienced multiple strokes, and has undergone several surgeries.

As reported by the UOJ, earlier, hundreds of Orthodox Bukovynians came to support Metropolitan Longin during a court appearance.

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