Metropolitan Longin’s Public Acknowledgment of Alina Grosu
Metropolitan Longin (Mykhailo Zhar) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) has publicly expressed gratitude to singer Alina Grosu for choosing a canonical Orthodox church, following a baptism ceremony that sparked controversy. The baptism of Grosu’s son took place at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi, officiated by Metropolitan Meletii, who is currently under sanctions imposed by Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council. According to Grosu’s press team, the choice of venue was driven by family tradition, as she herself was baptized in the same cathedral 30 years ago.
“Dear Alina, thank you for choosing the canonical Orthodox Church. Everyone has the right to their own faith.”
Metropolitan Longin
Longin extended his gratitude to Alina Grosu, adding: “May the Lord continue to strengthen you, so that you hold firmly to the true Orthodox faith, granting you peace, joy, and His blessing for many years. You are strong in my eyes!”
The baptism ceremony was a significant family moment for the Grosu family. Ukraine’s People’s Artist Iryna Bilyk served as godmother to Alina’s son, named Mark. Grosu’s press team also emphasized that the baptism was part of a longstanding family tradition:
- “It was here that Alina was baptized 30 years ago,
- followed later by her younger brother Mykhailyk,
- as well as cousins,
- and subsequently their children.”
The selection of this cathedral was primarily based on family history and the location itself, rather than any particular clergyman.
Public Debate Surrounding the Baptism
The event drew public scrutiny due to suspicions raised in 2023 by the Security Service of Ukraine against Metropolitan Longin, who is accused of inciting religious hatred and offending citizens’ feelings. Longin has also made statements in Romanian media alleging persecution of Orthodox believers by Ukrainian authorities. In this context, Grosu’s press team stated that she was unaware of the details reported by journalist Sonia Koshkina regarding the priest and the cathedral, noting that not everyone is well-versed in church affairs.
As a result, the baptism of Alina Grosu’s son has become not only a family celebration but also a topic of public debate tied to religious and political dynamics in Ukraine. Given heightened scrutiny of the UOC-MP and its clergy, incidents like this may influence the future trajectory of church relations in the country and shape public attitudes toward religious institutions overall.
The choice of a sanctioned metropolitan for such a personal event has ignited further discussions about the implications of faith and tradition in contemporary Ukraine. In a related incident, Iryna Bilyk faced criticism for her decision to involve the same metropolitan in a baptism ceremony, highlighting the complexities surrounding religious affiliations and public perception during these challenging times.