No signs of abuse found at Bancheny Monastery orphanage – media

Metropolitan Longin with children. Photo: UOC Press Service

Psychologists who were part of the commission investigating alleged cases of child abuse at the orphanage of the Ascension Bancheny Monastery of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) reported that the children appeared healthy, were open in communication, and showed no signs of abuse or psychological stress. This was reported on July 17, 2025, by the C4 website, citing the inspection results.

The working group from the Chernivtsi Regional Administration, which conducted a “monitoring visit” to the children under the care of Metropolitan Longin (Zhar), found no evidence supporting the allegations made by blogger Edgar Kalancha.

It was noted that the children live in three separate buildings: one for girls, one for boys, and one for children with disabilities. All facilities were clean, and a separate building equipped with an elevator and assistive devices is provided for children with limited mobility.

Medical care is available, regular health checkups are conducted, and the educational process is ongoing. Some of the children are receiving vocational or higher education.

The only issue the inspectors claimed to observe was that the children appeared prepared for the group’s visit.

“In conversations with the children, the monitoring group noted that the children seemed to have been prepared for the visit. During interactions, nuns occasionally entered the rooms,” officials wrote in their report.

Inspectors also noted that the monastery maintains a strict hierarchy, not all children have mobile phones, leisure activities are supervised, and children may leave the premises only with permission and accompaniment of nuns.

The report concluded that no threats to the life or health of the children were identified. However, apparently seeking to justify their actions, officials added a disclaimer: “at the present time.” The commission also recommended ensuring ongoing psychological support and revising the care model to be more responsive to the children’s needs. Recommendations were also issued to the Chernivtsi Regional Administration, the child welfare service, and Metropolitan Longin (Zhar).

As a reminder, Metropolitan Longin, who has adopted hundreds of children and holds the title Hero of Ukraine, has become the target of slander amid increasing pressure on the UOC. A blogger published a video featuring individuals allegedly raised at the monastery’s orphanage, who made unsubstantiated accusations of abuse. These materials were circulated by propaganda media. The monastery has already been the target of arson, and clergy have received direct threats.

The orphans raised at the Bancheny Monastery have themselves publicly denied the false claims made by blogger Edgar Kalancha against their spiritual father, Metropolitan Longin.

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