On Saturday, March 21, the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv hosted a farewell ceremony for Patriarch Filaret, a prominent figure in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, who passed away the previous day. Among those attending were President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.
Dozens of mourners gathered to pay their respects, reflecting on the impact Filaret had on the church and the nation. One attendee, Galina, remarked that his death marks the end of an era.
“It is a Christian duty to say goodbye to the deceased. I came today because an entire era has passed. I entered university, lived, and studied during his time. He played a significant role in the Ukrainian church,” she shared.
Another attendee, who identified himself as Mykola, noted that Filaret exemplified how to defend and love one’s country through action rather than words.
“That’s why I am here today. I could not miss this, as I am an officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine… This loss means we need to unite even more, and we need more people like him to follow his teachings. Everything he did for the state and for Ukraine is invaluable,” he stated.
Ludmila, another mourner, attended the ceremony with her daughter. She emphasized that Filaret dedicated his life to the struggle for Ukraine’s independence, as well as for a separate Ukrainian church and language.
“It is very sad that such a person has passed into eternity. However, I believe that all his efforts will continue. In today’s fight for Ukraine’s independence, the church plays a crucial role. May he rest in peace,” she expressed.
The farewell ceremony began on March 20, and Filaret will be laid to rest at the Volodymyr Cathedral on Sunday, March 22.
Filaret’s Role in Ukrainian Orthodoxy
In December 2018, a unification council dissolved the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, leading to the establishment of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) and the election of Metropolitan Epifaniy as its head. Filaret initially signed the decree for the dissolution but later retracted his signature.
In May 2019, he asserted that the Kyiv Patriarchate continued to exist and that he remained its patriarch. By July, the Ministry of Culture announced that the Kyiv Patriarchate had ceased to exist, merging into the OCU.
In December 2019, following the dissolution of the Kyiv Patriarchate, the OCU’s synod 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 Volodymyr Cathedral.
However, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine later suspended Filaret’s powers as a member of its Holy Synod. While he remained part of the episcopate, he 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 and was hospitalized on March 9 due to complications from chronic illnesses, passing away on March 20.
The Ukrainian Orthodox community mourns the passing of Patriarch Filaret, who played a crucial role in the country's religious landscape. His legacy is reflected in the tributes paid by mourners at the St. Michael's Cathedral, where many emphasized his contributions to Ukraine's independence and the church's role in society.