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
ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill
Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown
Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.
Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions
A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.
Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law
Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.
Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment
The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.
Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful
Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.