Metropolitan Longin supports Storozhynets believers defending their church

Metropolitan Longin. Photo: Bancheny Monastery's Facebook page

Metropolitan Longin of Bancheny expressed his support for the faithful defending their church and their faith in Storozhynets in a post on the Facebook page of Bancheny Monastery.

"I am immensely grateful to all who have united today and were able to come and stand in defense of the church of the Storozhynets deanery in the city of Storozhynets. I sincerely thank everyone, especially mitred Archpriest Vasyl Kovalchuk, for your sacrificial love, respect, and for safeguarding our Ukrainian Orthodox Church!" wrote the metropolitan, invoking God's blessing upon the believers.

"May the Lord fill your hearts with strong faith, strengthen you with hope, and protect your families, loved ones, and relatives. Defend the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and always stand together!" he concluded.

As a reminder, on February 9, 2025, hundreds of UOC believers in Storozhynets, Bukovyna, held a cross procession to the city administration building, where they reaffirmed their desire to remain under the omophorion of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. In Storozhynets, OCU activists are attempting to seize two churches from the faithful – the Church of St. George and the Church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Reports have also surfaced regarding widespread document falsifications intended to justify the "transition" of these churches. The total number of participants in the cross procession reached several hundred people.

As the UOJ previously reported, the religious community in Storozhynets has sent an official appeal to the U.S. Embassy and Vice President J. D. Vance, requesting protection of their rights.

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