Met. Longin to politicians: My children're at the front, and yours – abroad

Metropolitan Longin. Photo: a screenshot from the Bancheny Monastery's YouTube channel

On June 18, 2025, Metropolitan Longin (Zhar) of Bancheny of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church shared that his 10 children are at the front, while the children of Ukrainian politicians live abroad.

The archbishop noted that ten of his adopted sons voluntarily went to the front, defending the Motherland. He said that three of them became disabled, two died, and the fate of the others remains unknown. One of the sons sustained severe injuries while saving his wounded commander:

“My son carried his commander 3 kilometers on his back. He was told: 'Leave him, he is dying anyway.' But he said: 'He is alive, how can we leave him?' They were abandoned… And for this, my son was left disabled for life.”

At the same time, according to the bishop, despite medical conclusions and all official documents, his son has not yet been granted disability status:

“Then the military enlistment office said they would send the documents home. Still nothing. We cannot even get disability... And I already have three disabled at home. From the front line. From the 'zero'. Two graves. I still don't know about the others.”

He particularly noted the death of his son Dmitry, who was buried in the monastery:

“Son Dmitry, whom we buried in the monastery. That day he spoke the truth. And defended me... By evening, he was severely beaten. They took his bank card. And sent him to the afterlife.”

Comparing his family with the families of Ukrainian officials, Metropolitan Longin asked Ukrainian politicians: “Tell me, where are your children? Ours are at the front. Yours are studying abroad. In restaurants. Enjoying themselves. Freely. They are well...”

The bishop noted that he and his family do not refuse to serve Ukraine but demand justice and protection from lawlessness: “In what way have I not pleased our Ukraine? I love and will love my state of Ukraine. We live here. But no one protects us today.”

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that a UOC hierarch called on Ukrainians to defend their shrines.

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