Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv, a prominent figure in the establishment of an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church, passed away on Friday at the age of 97. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) announced his death, attributing it to the “exacerbation of chronic diseases.” Filaret’s efforts to assert religious autonomy in Ukraine were significant and predated the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict that has further polarized religious affiliations between the two nations.
### Legacy of Leadership and Reform
Filaret’s influence in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church extended over several decades, during which he played a critical role in the struggle for the church’s independence from Moscow’s ecclesiastical authority. Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv, who currently leads the OCU, remarked on Filaret’s notable contributions, stating, “The person and numerous good deeds of the late Patriarch Filaret rightfully occupy a special place in the modern history of both the local Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Ukraine as a whole.”
Despite his waning visibility in recent years, Filaret’s legacy is marked by his dedication to church life during periods of Soviet repression and his actions during Ukraine’s post-independence religious revival. Epiphanius acknowledged that past conflicts between the two leaders did not diminish his respect for Filaret’s contributions.
### Political Responses and National Impact
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed deep condolences to Epiphanius, describing Filaret’s passing as “a great loss for Ukrainians.” Zelenskyy highlighted Filaret as a staunch defender of Ukrainian identity, noting, “Without the energy, character and courage of Patriarch Filaret, many of Ukraine’s accomplishments simply would not have been possible.”
Further recognition came from Ukraine’s Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, which stated that Filaret significantly contributed to safeguarding church life amid Soviet-era repression. The political community’s tributes underscore the intertwining of religious and national identities in Ukraine.
### Early Life and Ecclesiastical Career
Born Mykhailo Denysenko in 1929 in Blahodatne, Donetsk region, Filaret’s early life was marked by personal tragedy—his father’s death during World War II influenced his path toward the ministry, despite the prevailing anti-religious sentiment of the Soviet regime. Filaret became a monk and assumed his monastic name while serving as a bishop and leading official for the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine throughout the 1960s.
With the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Ukraine’s declaration of independence in 1991, Filaret led a movement advocating for an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church, resulting in the formation of the Kyiv Patriarchate. This significant step led to his excommunication by the Russian Orthodox Church, which he did not accept.
### The Creation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine
In 2018, Filaret’s Kyiv Patriarchate merged with another breakaway church to form the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. He was honored with the title of honorary patriarch, and the newly established church received recognition from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople in 2019, along with a ruling that deemed Filaret’s excommunication by Moscow invalid. However, the Moscow Patriarchate rejected both the OCU’s legitimacy and Bartholomew’s authority.
The emergence of the OCU has accentuated the religious and political rift between Ukraine and Russia. In the wake of this schism, the Ukrainian government has accused the traditionally aligned Ukrainian Orthodox Church of maintaining connections to Moscow, a charge the UOC has consistently denied.
### Later Years and Controversies
Filaret’s leadership was not without conflict. After the establishment of the OCU, disagreements between him and Epiphanius regarding church governance led to Filaret’s suspension from OCU activities in 2020. Nevertheless, in a move reflecting reconciliation, the two leaders met in late 2025 to pray for Ukraine’s success in the current war against Russian aggression.
Despite the controversies that sometimes accompanied his ministry—such as attributing the COVID-19 pandemic to divine retribution for societal sins—Filaret received numerous accolades throughout his life, including the prestigious title of Hero of Ukraine in January 2019.
The passing of Patriarch Filaret marks the end of an era for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. His struggle for independence and recognition resonates deeply within a nation grappling with its identity amidst ongoing conflict. His contributions to the cultural and religious landscape of Ukraine will be remembered by both followers and leaders alike as they navigate the challenges ahead.
Source: Original Reporting
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