Archbishop Longin was born on February 17, 1946, in Helsinki, Finland. He was tonsured a monk on April 11, 1969. He was ordained to the diaconate on April 13, 1969, and to the priesthood on May 18, 1969. He was consecrated Bishop of Dusseldorf on October 11, 1981. He was elevated to Archbishop of Klin on December 23, 1992.