Pro-Russian Metropolitan Thanks Singer Alina Grosu for Baptizing Her Son in Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Metropolitan Longin (Mykhailo Zhar) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church—Moscow Patriarchate publicly expressed gratitude to singer Alina Grosu for choosing the “canonical Orthodox Church” to baptize her firstborn son, Mark. The clergyman extended God’s blessings to the artist and encouraged her to “firmly hold fast to the true Orthodox faith” moving forward.

The singer had previously drawn controversy after sharing footage of her son’s baptism at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi. The ceremony was performed by Metropolitan Meletios (Valentin Yegorenko), who faces sanctions and is a citizen of the Russian Federation. Alina Grosu’s press service stated the choice of the cathedral was based on family tradition, as she and her relatives were baptized there. The artist was not aware of the church’s jurisdiction or the priest’s background at the time.

It is noted that the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi is set to be transferred to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) for use, following a decision by the parishioners’ assembly and a ruling by the Chernivtsi Regional Economic Court. Metropolitan Longin, who is known for his pro-Russian statements, is under suspicion by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) for inciting religious hatred.

Earlier, Alina Grosu had revealed the gender of her first child, marking the occasion with a new song. She gave birth to a son in April and shared the first moments with her newborn. The baptism of her son has now become a focal point of discussion, highlighting the complex interplay between personal faith choices and broader religious and political dynamics.

The incident underscores the ongoing tensions within the Orthodox community in Ukraine, where differing jurisdictions and allegiances continue to shape public and ecclesiastical life. As the situation unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between individual religious practices and the broader implications of such choices in a divided religious landscape.

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