Filaret has died — the man who became a symbol of Ukraine’s independent church

A figure who spent decades shaping Ukraine’s spiritual independence and was instrumental in the establishment of its own local church has passed away. The story of Patriarch Filaret is one of a struggle for autocephaly, national identity and the unity of Ukrainian Orthodoxy. Find out more about his legacy and his role in the country’s history

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Patriarch Filaret’s struggle for the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has lasted as long as Ukraine has been an independent nation. He became one of the key figures in the establishment of Ukrainian Orthodoxy, free from Moscow’s influence, and his life and ministry effectively embody the state’s aspiration for spiritual independence. Today, 20 March, the Honorary Patriarch of Ukrainian Orthodoxy, Filaret, has passed away.

The passing of an era

The death of the 97-year-old Honorary Patriarch was announced by Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine. In his address, he expressed deep sorrow, sharing it with millions of fellow citizens, and called upon the entire Ukrainian flock to offer heartfelt prayers for the repose of the deceased’s soul. Until his final days, Filaret (born Mykhailo Denysenko) remained the foremost spiritual authority and one of the most prominent religious figures in the country’s modern history.

From the Donetsk region to the heights of the church hierarchy

The future patriarch’s life began on 23 January 1929 in the Donetsk region. Having received his theological education at the Moscow Theological Academy, he devoted decades to uninterrupted service within the church hierarchy. By 1960, Filaret had been appointed administrator of the Ukrainian Exarchate and rector of St Vladimir’s Cathedral in Kyiv. His extensive experience also included serving as rector of the Russian Orthodox Church’s mission to the Patriarchate of Alexandria in the early 1960s.

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The foundation of an independent church

With Ukraine’s attainment of state independence in the 1990s, Filaret became the principal initiator of the establishment of the Kyiv Patriarchate. It was this structure that served as the historical foundation for the subsequent formation of a single local Orthodox Church.

After the All-Ukrainian Local Council announced the establishment of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate in June 1992, Filaret continued his active work to strengthen its position. In 1995, he was elected its patriarch. He became the leading voice calling for autocephaly and initiated the extremely important process of translating liturgical texts into Ukrainian, restoring the church’s national identity.

Unification and historical recognition

The culmination of his many years of work was the Unification Council of 2018, at which the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) was officially established. For the sake of unification, Filaret did not put himself forward as a candidate for the position of primate, and the newly formed church was led by Metropolitan Epiphanius.

For his immense contributions, Filaret was proclaimed spiritual mentor of the OCU and awarded the title of Honorary Patriarch. In January 2019, the efforts of his entire life were crowned with success: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I granted the OCU the Tomos of Autocephaly, formally confirming the independence of the Ukrainian Church.

Remember! Ukraine’s sacred architecture is not only about majestic churches but also living history that combines faith, art and centuries-old culture. From mountain monasteries to the magnificent cathedrals of Kyiv and Lviv, every sanctuary preserves the unique atmosphere of its time. Find out more about the oldest churches and monasteries worth seeing on tours from Visit Ukraine.

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