Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv Dies at 97

Patriarch Filaret, the honorary patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP), died on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the age of 97. His death was announced by Metropolitan Epiphany of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

A Key Figure in Ukrainian Orthodox Church Independence

Born Mykhailo Antonovych Denysenko on January 23, 1929, in Blagodatne, Donetsk region, Filaret played a pivotal role in the movement for an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He initially served in the Russian Orthodox Church, becoming Metropolitan of Kyiv in 1968.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Filaret spearheaded efforts to separate the Orthodox Church of Ukraine from the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate. He subsequently led the UOC-KP as Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus’-Ukraine.

Formation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and Subsequent Conflicts

Filaret was instrumental in the creation of the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) in 2018. He formally joined the novel structure, but later experienced disagreements with the leadership under Metropolitan Epiphany, attempting to re-establish the Kyiv Patriarchate.

The OCU did not recognize these attempts, maintaining Metropolitan Epiphany as its head, under the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I. Filaret was granted the status of honorary patriarch within the OCU.

Recognition and Legacy

In 2019, Filaret was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. He is remembered for his dedication to establishing a self-governing Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a goal achieved with the formation of the OCU, despite subsequent internal challenges.

As noted by Wikipedia, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople recognizes him as a former Metropolitan of Kyiv.