UOC hierarch calls on Ukrainians to protect their shrines

Metropolitan Longin (Zhar). Photo: Bancheny Monastery

On June 18, 2025, Metropolitan Longin (Zhar) of Bancheny of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church condemned the actions of radicals and police during the attempted seizure of the cathedral in Chernivtsi and called on Ukrainian believers to protect their shrines.

The archbishop stated that sacrilegious actions were committed in the church: "Yesterday was proof for the whole world and for our Ukraine. This vandalism."

He recalled that the raiders beat laity and clergy of the UOC, and Metropolitan Meletiy also suffered: "Yesterday, blood was shed in the cathedral in Chernivtsi. Blood was shed there, there was vandalism. They mocked our holy Church."

According to the metropolitan, the attackers broke into the altar, desecrating the shrine - in particular, they relieved themselves in the altar.

Metropolitan Longin called on all Orthodox Ukrainians to unite in defense of their canonical Church: "I call on all of Ukraine to stand in defense of our canonical Orthodox faith. This is the Church of the Lord. This is the Church of God. This is the church of our ancestors. And it is thousands of years old."

"I ask, Bukovina, unite all in the glory of the Holy Trinity, in the faith of ours. Yes, do not beat anyone, do not offend anyone, do not desecrate anyone. But we have rights," said the bishop.

In conclusion, the archbishop reminded that "we were born in this land, and no one can come or arrive to us and teach us which God we should believe in".

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Metropolitan Longin of Bancheny claimed of being a target for assassination.

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