Metropolitan Longin said about the threat of liquidation of the orphanage at the Banchen Monastery

Metropolitan Longin of Banchena announced the intention of state authorities to liquidate the orphanage at his monastery, which shelters more than 300 children, including orphans, children with disabilities and war victims. The announcement was made on September 23, 2025, after a regular court session.

According to the SPJ portal, a minister visited the monastery and ordered the closure of the institution. Metropolitan Longin expressed deep concern about the fate of the pupils, many of whom need special care. «We have 122 children with disabilities, 50 children with epilepsy, many are bedridden. The minister came and said: «Liquidation!» Do you want to throw these children out on the street?» — the edition quotes the words of the vladyka.

The bishop emphasized that despite the lawsuits and constant inspections, he and the monastery continue to care for the children. He noted that his first priority is to provide the pupils with everything they need — food, clothing and firewood for the winter, rather than participating in court hearings. «I don’t have time to run around the courts … I have almost 300 children — what, to leave them hungry and myself to go to the courts, where I have been summoned four times in a row?» — stated the Metropolitan.

At the end of his address, Metropolitan Longin called on the authorities to pay attention to the real needs of children and not to allow the closure of the orphanage, suggesting instead to direct efforts to help the sick and needy.

We shall remind you that earlier the hierarch of the UOC, Metropolitan Longin (Zhar) of Banchensk, published an appeal requesting the assistance of international lawyers due to the fact that Ukrainian courts arrange discriminatory conditions for the bishop, in the context of which a fair consideration of legal claims against him is not possible.