German monks visit Bancheny to support Metropolitan Longin

Monks of the German Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Trinity with monks of the Bancheny Monastery. Photo: UOJ

The monks of the German Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Buchhagen made a pilgrimage to the Ascension Monastery of Bancheny, belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), to express their support for Metropolitan Longin and the monastery’s brotherhood, reports the UOJ in Germany.

According to the German monks, the main purpose of the visit was to see the situation firsthand and express their profound respect for the hierarch for his steadfastness amid pressure from the authorities and the OCU. The monastery in Buchhagen belongs to the Bulgarian Patriarchate.

“What is truly admirable is how, despite everything, the fathers continue to support and care for the holy site and carry out their duties. At first glance, no difficulties are apparent, apart from the fact that the guesthouse is full of refugees from other parts of Ukraine. The monastery grounds remain impeccably maintained, are awash with flowers, and are in excellent condition. A new hospital has even been built in memory of St Luke of Crimea," said Abbot John, the head of the German monastery.

He also noted that the monastery’s brotherhood lives under constant threat, fearing that they may be detained by the Territorial Recruitment Centres (TRCs) and sent to the front. He stressed that Metropolitan Longin is a "confessor of the faith, as are all the local fathers."

Abbot John added that the brotherhood of Buchhagen bows in reverence before Ukraine’s confessors of the faith, "who endure all kinds of hardships, and some of whom have even been driven from their own holy sites and taken away, because they have not allowed the forces and coercion of this fallen world to corrupt them, but have steadfastly preserved their love and faithfulness to the Holy Trinity."

In conclusion, Father John assured the faithful of the brotherhood’s prayers for the swift end of the war and the cessation of pressure on the Church, so that peace pleasing to God and worthy of humanity may once again prevail.

As the UOJ reported, Bancheny believers congratulate Metropolitan Longin on his name day

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