Children Raised at Bancheny Monastery Refute Slander Against Metropolitan Longin

The current and former wards of Metropolitan Longin (Zhar), who were raised under his care at the orphanage of Bancheny Monastery, have issued an open video statement addressed to blogger Edgar Kalancha, refuting the false claims published in his YouTube video series.

The participants emphasized that the accusations made by Kalancha against Metropolitan Longin and the monastery’s activities are based on false and decontextualized information with no verified evidence to support them.

“Regarding every point of accusation against our father — and he truly is a father to us — we can provide explanations and evidence. Something you do not have, aside from slander coming from former wards of our guardian,” the children stated.

They stressed that the blogger based his judgment of Metropolitan Longin and their life at the orphanage solely on the accounts of three individuals, completely ignoring the voices of the real children who spent years living alongside the bishop.

“We are all ready to meet in person as living witnesses and provide a full response to every point,” the participants declared.

They also noted that Kalancha deleted the second part of his video shortly after its release, later explaining that it included unverified information. According to the children, this only confirms the blogger’s lack of responsibility and unwillingness to adhere to standards of truthful journalism.

At the end of their statement, the children appealed to Kalancha’s conscience with a Christian message:

“Bear in mind that everyone will answer for every false word. And we would like to end our message with the words of the Lord: ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’”

For reference, media reports previously alleged that the orphanage at Banchensky Monastery in the Chernivtsi region, under the care of Metropolitan Longin, was the site of abusive treatment. According to journalists and former residents interviewed by photographer Edgar Kalancha as part of a “documentary investigation,” children were allegedly subjected to beatings and forced labor.