Patriarch Filaret's Legacy Compared to Ivan Mazepa's
Ukrainian diplomat Yuriy Shcherbak has likened the historical role of the late Patriarch Filaret to that of the Cossack Hetman Ivan Mazepa. Shcherbak, who personally knew the Patriarch, stated that their relationship began during the aftermath of the Chornobyl disaster. He was the first person in the USSR to publish an interview with Filaret while he was still a metropolitan. According to the diplomat, the Patriarch's key achievement was paving the way for the Tomos, the decree granting autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. This historic break from the Moscow Patriarchate in 2019 was a pivotal moment for Ukrainian religious and national identity.
The Complex State of Ukrainian Orthodoxy
Yuriy Shcherbak remarked:
"I compare his work to the work of Ivan Mazepa – such was the magnitude of this man."He further added,
"His invaluable merit is that he was the one who opened the road to the Tomos. He also exposed the entire deceitful nature of the Moscow Patriarchate, and when Ukraine is cleansed of its remnants, it must elevate Christianity to a new height."
The situation within Ukrainian Orthodoxy remains complex, as full ecclesiastical unity has not yet been achieved. Shcherbak noted he is not familiar with the activities of Nikodim, who has claimed leadership of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate. However, he spoke positively of Metropolitan Epifaniy, stating:
"He makes a very pleasant impression on me. An educated man with a great future ahead. For me, he embodies all the best traits of Christianity."
The comparison to Ivan Mazepa, a Ukrainian leader who famously broke allegiance to the Russian Tsar, underscores Patriarch Filaret's profound significance in the struggle for an independent Ukrainian church. Shcherbak's comments highlight that despite the landmark achievement of autocephaly, the path toward a unified Orthodox community in Ukraine continues to be a critical and evolving challenge.