A soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the adopted son of the rector of the Banchensky Monastery of the UOC, Metropolitan Longin, Bogdan Vakalyuk recorded a video message from the front, in which he appealed to the Ukrainian authorities to stop the persecution of his father and the UOC. The video is posted on the YouTube channel “Banchen Monastery”.

“Which of you could fulfill his duties? I’m just shocked by what is happening. I am very grateful to him, I love him very much. If I have the opportunity, I will hug him tightly and say:” Dad, I’m at home. He is praying for me, waiting for me at home,” Vakalyuk said.

He stressed that it is Metropolitan Longin who has been raising children with disabilities for many years, helping them with education, work, and housing.

The warrior also added: “And the fact that I am a soldier, I will always have my opinion. If you want, catch me, but I expressed my opinion. I have nothing against my country. But I can say against those evil people who mock over faith, religion. Why are you doing this? Look in the mirror, ask yourself who you are. Muscovites have come to our land, but we are doing our duty, we are trying! How many of my brothers have died? You are fooling around!”