Metropolitan Longin: Two state expert examinations prove that I am innocent

Metropolitan Longin (Zhar) in front of the courthouse on May 21, 2024. Photo: screenshot from the Bancheny Monastery YouTube channel

Metropolitan Longin of Bancheny stated that there had been expert examinations proving his innocence. He shared this with the UOC believers who had come to support him in court in the city of Hertsa in Bukovyna on May 21.

"I have two state expert examinations exonerating me. i.e. proving that I am not guilty of what I am being accused of. Their examination is illegal. The person who wrote the expertise did not have a license or the right to do so," the bishop said.

The hierarch of the UOC also claims that the prosecution is altering the facts of the case and adding data that he has nothing to do with.

"They do not give me the right to speak, they changed everything... Mr. Prosecutor also added three letters: 'OCU,' which I never mentioned and will not mention because they mean nothing to me," emphasized the metropolitan.

The UOC hierarch also thanked everyone for their support and asked them to remain steadfast in their Orthodox faith.

As the UOJ reported, Metropolitan Longin asked believers to support him in court, assuming that the hearing on May 21 would be more challenging than previous ones.

Read also

Metropolitan Longin to Zelensky: Release my son from TRC

Metropolitan Longin (Zhar) of Bancheny addressed an appeal to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Prayers further offered for imprisoned UOJ journalists at Lavra's standing

People pray to the Lord to protect the "prisoners of conscience" from all sorrow, trouble, need, and illness.

Metropolitan Theodosiy's house arrest extended

The bishop participated in the hearing via videoconference, but opponents of the UOC were active near the courthouse.

Poll: Uniates and supporters of OCU are the most in favor of banning UOC

Among non-religious respondents, every fifth person is indifferent to this issue.

Dumenko and Zoria discuss combating "Russian World" with Minister of Culture

Tochytskyi and representatives of the OCU discussed countering Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukraine's national identity.

Greek theologian: Religious situation in Ukraine divides Orthodoxy

According to the Greek theologian, "many Ukrainian Orthodox worshippers have been hesitant to leave the church under the Moscow Patriarchate and join the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine, fearing a potential excommunication for being schismatics."