On March 20, 2023, Patriarch Filaret, a prominent figure in the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, passed away at the age of 98. His death was confirmed by Metropolitan Epiphanius, the current head of the church.
Metropolitan Epiphanius expressed deep sorrow over Filaret’s passing, highlighting the significant spiritual and organizational legacy he left behind after decades of service to the church and the Ukrainian people. In his statement, he noted, “Today, there is profound grief in my heart, as well as in the hearts of many Ukrainians, because the earthly journey of His Holiness Patriarch Filaret has come to an end.”
Filaret had been hospitalized on March 9 due to complications from chronic illnesses. Following his death, the Ukrainian Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, extended condolences, stating, “The leadership of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, members of parliament, and staff express their condolences on the passing of His Holiness Patriarch Filaret at the age of 98.”
Background on Patriarch Filaret
In December 2018, a unifying church council led to the dissolution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP) and the establishment of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). During this council, Filaret signed a resolution to dissolve the UOC-KP but later retracted his signature.
In May 2019, Filaret publicly declared that the Kyiv Patriarchate continued to exist, asserting his position as patriarch. By July, the Ministry of Culture announced that the UOC-KP had ceased to exist, having merged into the OCU.
In December 2019, following the dissolution of the UOC-KP, the Synod of the OCU established a religious organization for Filaret in the form of a mission. The Synod also granted him the right to reside permanently at his residence in Kyiv and to conduct services at the St. Volodymyr Cathedral.
Despite being a member of the episcopate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Filaret’s powers as a member of the Synod were suspended. He retained his status but lost the canonical rights and responsibilities associated with managing a diocese. Additionally, as a retired archbishop, he was canonically prohibited from performing any ordinations.
Filaret, born Mykhailo Antonovych Denysenko, served as the Patriarch of Kyiv and all Rus’-Ukraine from 1995 to 2018. He celebrated his 97th birthday on January 23, 2023.
Patriarch Filaret, a key figure in the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, has died at 98. His legacy includes significant contributions to the church's unity and organization.