Metropolitan Longin Alleges Assassination Plot Against Him

Metropolitan Longin. Photo: YouTube channel of the Bancheny Monastery

CHERNIVTSI — On June 18, 2025, Metropolitan Longin (Zhar) of Bancheny publicly claimed that an assassination attempt was prepared against him. In a message to the faithful, he alleged that a group from Ivano-Frankivsk had arrived in Chernivtsi with the intention of physically eliminating him.

“I’m not afraid of anything,” Metropolitan Longin said. “I have no security. They say I’m protected by some paramilitary guards. I’ve never seen them. Our protection comes from heaven.”

He reaffirmed his commitment to unity, stating, “We will unite our Ukraine – for the sake of God and for the future – because strength lies in truth, not in camouflage.”

Previously, UOJ's Ukrainian branch (SPZh) reported that the hierarch had been the victim of a targeted attack.

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