Thousands of mourners gathered in Kyiv to pay their respects to Patriarch Filaret, a prominent leader in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, who passed away on March 20. The farewell ceremonies began with a Divine Liturgy held at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral, led by Metropolitan Epiphaniy alongside other bishops and clergy.
Filaret’s death has prompted a significant outpouring of grief across Ukraine, with many attendees traveling from various regions to honor his legacy. The ceremony included a funeral service, followed by a procession carrying his casket through Sofia Square to the Volodymyr Cathedral, where Filaret had served for many years.
“Patriarch Filaret is like Moses for Ukrainian Orthodoxy. Just as Moses led the Israelites out of bondage, the patriarch dedicated his life to freeing the Ukrainian people from the shackles of Moscow’s oppression. He was a rock, a theologian, and the foundation of the autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” stated Father Mykola Symolyuk from Chernivtsi.
Andriy Tkachuk, spokesperson for the late Patriarch Mstyslav Skrypnyk, emphasized Filaret’s dual role as both a spiritual and a state leader, noting that he prioritized the Ukrainian state and its spiritual defense during critical moments in the nation’s history.
Following the funeral service, the mourners proceeded to the Volodymyr Cathedral, where a burial site had been prepared for Filaret. The ceremony continued with the service taking place at noon, marking the final farewell to a figure who played a pivotal role in the religious landscape of Ukraine.
Filaret, born Mykhailo Antonovych Denysenko, served as the Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP) from 1995 until its dissolution in 2018. He was 97 years old at the time of his passing. His health had declined in the weeks leading up to his death, leading to hospitalization for chronic health issues.
In December 2018, a Unification Council led to the dissolution of the UOC-KP and the establishment of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), with Metropolitan Epiphaniy elected as its head. Filaret initially signed the decree dissolving the UOC-KP but later retracted his signature, asserting the continued existence of the Kyiv Patriarchate. Despite his diminished role in the OCU, Filaret remained a significant figure within the church.
In December 2019, the OCU Synod created a religious organization for Filaret, allowing him to continue residing in his official residence and conducting services at the Volodymyr Cathedral. However, his canonical rights were limited, and he was prohibited from performing ordinations.
The funeral of Patriarch Filaret in Kyiv marked the end of an era for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. His contributions to the church and the nation have left a lasting impact, as thousands gathered to honor his legacy.