Patriarch Filaret to be Laid to Rest in St. Volodymyr's Cathedral as Farewell Ceremonies Proceed

Farewell Ceremonies for Patriarch Filaret

According to Главком: A funeral liturgy and public farewell for Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine (born Mykhailo Antonovych Denysenko) was held at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral on March 22, 2026. The Patriarch had passed away on March 20, 2026, at the age of 97. The Most Blessed Metropolitan Epifaniy led the service, joined by bishops and clergy of the local Orthodox Church of Ukraine. His passing marks the end of an era for Ukrainian Orthodoxy, a community he helped shape for decades.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Viacheslav Kyrylenko was among those in attendance, paying his respects to the late Patriarch. Following the liturgy, Filaret's burial is scheduled to take place at St. Volodymyr's Cathedral. A funeral procession will depart from St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral, pausing at the St. Sophia Cathedral, before proceeding to St. Volodymyr's Cathedral for a final farewell to the spiritual leader.

The Legacy of Patriarch Filaret

Patriarch Filaret had officially prepared a spiritual testament prior to his death. He was hospitalized in Kyiv on March 9, 2026, due to a decline in his health. Filaret held significant positions within the Ukrainian Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church in the 1960s and led the Kyiv See under the Russian Orthodox Church from 1966 onward. His death represents a profound loss for Ukraine's religious community.

The passing of Patriarch Filaret is a pivotal moment in the history of Ukrainian Orthodoxy. He was a key leader in the establishment of an independent Orthodox Church in Ukraine and its separation from the Moscow Patriarchate. His activities and influence on the nation's religious life will remain in the memory of many believers, and the farewell ceremonies have become a symbolic event for Ukrainian society during a period of significant transformation and challenge in the religious sphere.

The farewell ceremonies not only highlighted the immense contributions of Patriarch Filaret but also served as a reminder of the ongoing evolution of Ukrainian Orthodoxy. To gain deeper insight into the Patriarch's legacy and the memorial service held at St. Michael's Cathedral, where many gathered to honor his memory, you can read more about it here.