The funeral of Patriarch Filaret, the esteemed leader of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, concluded in Kyiv, marking a significant moment for the religious community. His body was laid to rest in the crypt of the Vladimir Cathedral, honoring his spiritual wishes.
On the morning of March 22, a memorial service was held at the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery, led by Metropolitan Epiphanius, the head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Hundreds attended to pay their respects.
The somber procession then moved from the monastery through Sofia Square to the Vladimir Cathedral, with thousands of clergy and laypeople participating in the tribute.
Patriarch Filaret passed away on March 20, as announced by the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. His health had been in decline, prompting the church to urge its followers to pray for him earlier in March.
Born Mykhailo Denysenko on January 23, 1929, Filaret led the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate from October 1995. In December 2018, following the granting of the tomos by the Ecumenical Patriarch, he was named Honorary Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
In June 2022, shortly after the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Filaret called for a unifying council of the three branches of Ukrainian Orthodoxy, which included the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, and the Kyiv Patriarchate.
The funeral of Patriarch Filaret in Kyiv drew hundreds as the religious leader was laid to rest according to his wishes. His legacy includes a call for unity among Ukraine's Orthodox communities during a time of conflict.