Met. Longin: Mobilization of Priests 'Lawless', a 'Disgrace'

LOMACHYNTSI — In a powerful sermon delivered on August 9, 2025, in the Bukovinian village of Lomachyntsi, Met. Longin of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) denounced the forced mobilization of clergymen into the ongoing conflict, asserting that authorities lack the right to conscript priests.

Speaking passionately to his congregation, Met. Longin expressed his loyalty to Ukraine. "I am not against my state," he said. "If I had the will, I myself would have gone to war. I would tell the brethren of the monastery: 'I want to be where my people are, where my children are'." However, he firmly emphasized that priests are forbidden from taking up arms, shooting, or killing, as such actions would defile their sacred duties.

"Today, they are taking our priests to war. They have no right to do this because we cannot then raise our hands to God—they will be stained with blood," the Metropolitan declared, highlighting the spiritual conflict faced by clergy forced into combat.

Metropolitan Longin further condemned the removal of priests from their congregations, describing instances where clergy are "detained" and "abused" as a "great disgrace." He clarified that this criticism is not directed at the state of Ukraine as a whole but at individuals responsible for what he called "lawlessness."

The sermon has sparked discussions about the role of clergy in times of war and the balance between national duty and religious obligations, as Ukraine continues to navigate its ongoing challenges.

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