Metropolitan Longin calls on Ukrainians to defend their sacred sites after cathedral seizure in Chernivtsi

On June 18, 2025, Metropolitan Longin of Bancheny, hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, condemned the violent actions that took place during the seizure of the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the UOC in Chernivtsi. The archbishop called on the faithful to unite in peaceful defense of their canonical Church. His address was published on the YouTube channel of the Bancheny Monastery.

In his statement, Metropolitan Longin described the events in Chernivtsi as acts of vandalism and sacrilege. He emphasized that ordinary parishioners and clergy of the UOC were harmed, including Metropolitan Meletiy of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna.

“Blood was shed there, it was vandalism. Our holy Church was mocked,” said Metropolitan Longin.

According to him, the attackers entered the altar area of the church and committed actions that showed outright contempt for the sacred, including acts of desecration in the literal sense.

The archbishop called on all Orthodox Ukrainians to stand in defense of their faith:

“I call upon all of Ukraine to rise in defense of our canonical Orthodox faith. This is the Lord’s Church. This is God’s Church. This is the Church of our ancestors. And it is thousands of years old. I ask you, Bukovyna — unite in the glory of the Holy Trinity, in the faith of our forebears. Do not beat anyone, do not insult or defile anyone. But we have our rights.”

Earlier, it was also reported that Metropolitan Longin (Zhar) stated he is facing a threat to his life. According to the bishop, a group of individuals arrived in Chernivtsi from Ivano-Frankivsk who are allegedly preparing a criminal act against him.