Metropolitan Longin: We will not be silent – we will defend our Shepherd!

Metropolitan Longin (Zhar). Photo: Bancheny Monastery

On July 13, 2025, Metropolitan Longin (Zhar) of Bancheny addressed the faithful with a word in defense of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry during a Sunday sermon at the Bancheny Monastery. The archbishop strongly condemned the authorities' attempts to deprive His Beatitude of Ukrainian citizenship and called on the congregation to resolutely defend their faith and their spiritual father.

"No one has the right under Article 25 of the Constitution of Ukraine to deprive citizenship (of Ukrainian citizens, – Ed.). He was born here, has lived here, and will live here until the end of his days," emphasized the bishop.

Metropolitan Longin noted that the UOC is the Church of the Ukrainian people, and more than 80% of Ukrainian citizens were baptized, married, and will be buried in it.

"We are not the enemy of Ukraine. You have become enemies, you have divided Ukraine. You have started a spiritual war against the Church, against God, against the priesthood," the archpastor addressed the authorities.

He highlighted that the Church of Christ is eternal, as is the Lord, Who "has neither beginning nor end", and the people of God are called to stand firm in the truth.

"We will not be silent, and all of Ukraine will rise. We will defend our Shepherd!" warned the metropolitan.

Bishop Longin especially emphasized the love and devotion of His Beatitude Onuphry to his people and state:

"As he loves his state, no one loves. As he condemned the enemy who stepped on our land, no one spoke. You want to divide Ukraine from within – it will not work. We will stand together with our people."

In conclusion, the archbishop called on all believers for intensified prayer for the Primate and urged the authorities of Ukraine to reconsider before it is too late.

As reported by the UOJ, UOC believers launched a flash mob in support of His Beatitude Onuphry.

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