"Shame!" Thousands of devotees push back security forces from UOC Monastery
Believers and clergy of the UOC stood up to defend the Bancheny Monastery from armed security forces who cordoned off the territory of the monastery.
On November 9, 2023, thousands of UOC believers resisted armed forces and representatives of special services who had surrounded the Bancheny Monastery to "identify individuals present in the sanctuary." One of the monastery's priests informed the UOJ about the incident.
In the published footage, believers can be heard saying, "Shame on you!" and "Why did you come here?" as they ask the security forces to leave the area near the Banchensky Monastery.
"Tell us, why did you come here! Look how many people have gathered!" one of the UOC parishioners says.
After an attempt to enter the monastery, Metropolitan Longin addressed the security forces, urging them to leave the believers alone.
"That's enough. Leave us alone. I can't take it anymore psychologically. Finish your circus, take your people away from here. If you need to talk to me, then I will meet with you," noted the hierarch.
As reported by the UOJ, armed forces with machine guns cordoned off the Bancheny Monastery.