Security forces to interrogate children at Bancheny Monastery
Metropolitan Longin with children. Photo: UOC Press Service
On June 10, 2025, interrogations are scheduled to take place at the Ascension Banchensky Monastery. According to a statement from the monastery, the interrogations involve orphaned children who have been taken in and cared for by Metropolitan Longin.
These investigative actions are part of a criminal case initiated by the Chernivtsi police following the publication of a video by a little-known blogger, Edgar Kalancha. The video contained allegations of supposed mistreatment of children within the monastery. However, the author himself later admitted that his work was “artistic and fictional” in nature.
Despite this admission, law enforcement authorities opened a criminal case and began investigating the claims made in the video. Today, security officials decided to interrogate the orphans, even though the children had earlier released a video statement in which they firmly rejected the accusations. They also emphasized their willingness to provide evidence and rebuttals for every claim mentioned.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Metropolitan Longin had thanked his flock for their faithfulness to the Church despite the storms they face.
Read also
Bill banning LGBT and childfree propaganda adopted in Belarus
A bill in the Belarusian parliament provides for administrative liability for propaganda of homosexuality and childlessness.
In women's monastery of Holovchyntsi village, monastic tonsure performed
In the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy, two nuns were tonsured into the lesser schema.
Finnish MP urges EU to repeal law banning criticism of LGBT
Päivi Räsänen stated that the "hate speech" law in Europe serves as a means for censorship.
Displaced children from Dnipro baptized at orphanage in Mukachevo
A priest of the Mukachevo Eparchy of the UOC performed the baptism of children from the "Barvinok" orphanage.
During Holy Week, Catholics celebrate Mass at Holy Sepulchre without believers
The RCC bishop, who was previously barred by police from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, was nevertheless allowed to conduct a service there on Thursday.
UGCC calls murder of TRC employee "particularly grave sin"
UGCC cleric Yustin Boyko emphasized that hatred against TRC employees is being artificially incited on social media.