Metropolitan Longin: Do not fear, but rejoice that God allows persecutions

Metropolitan Longin. Photo: Press Service of the Bancheny Monastery

On 26 October 2025, Metropolitan Longin of Bancheny delivered a sermon urging the faithful not to fear persecution and to remain steadfast in their faith, loyal to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry.

“I am deeply grateful to you, dear brothers and sisters, for your faith, for standing for the truth, for our Orthodox faith, for our Orthodox Church. However hard it may be, brothers and sisters, God is always with us,” the hierarch said.

He noted that believers have chosen the right path – the path of salvation and of walking with God – and called on them to stay faithful above all to God and His truth. “Never forget: truth always triumphs,” Metropolitan Longin stressed.

The archpastor reminded that all those who followed the way of the Lord were persecuted, beaten, and imprisoned: “And the Lord said: ‘So it will be with you.’ Today we thank God, brothers and sisters, that He has found us worthy to share in the persecutions raised against God and His truth.”

According to Metropolitan Longin, the authorities have committed a grave sin by waging war against the Orthodox Church, which has existed for over two millennia. “Do not be afraid, be strong, believe that the Lord will not abandon us. He was, is, and will be with us, for the Lord’s truth is with us, and we believe that it will prevail,” he said.

The hierarch condemned the violent seizures of churches, declaring: “Is that the Church of God where blood is shed and doors are broken? For saying these words I am being tried, but I will not go to such a church.”

Addressing those who persecute the UOC, he said: “Why do you attack our mothers, our sisters, our daughters? Why do you attack our Church? You have taken away the walls, but you cannot take away God – nor can you take away people’s faith.”

At the same time, the bishop called on the faithful to respond with prayer, peace, and love: “You have no right to hate or judge anyone, for the Lord Himself is the Judge. We are children of God, and we must serve Him.”

At the end of his address, Metropolitan Longin announced upcoming court hearings in Hertsa, adding that he had been warned he would be brought in handcuffs if he failed to appear.

“I am not hiding. I am ill, I am disabled, I have children; I’ve just been in hospital. They think I am avoiding the court. When I am at home and my health allows, I attend the hearings,” he explained.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the trial of Metropolitan Longin was postponed due to his deteriorating health.

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