Patriarch Filaret Dead at 97

Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv, Champion of Ukrainian Orthodox Independence From Moscow, Dead at 97

Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv, born Mykhailo Denysenko, has died at the age of 97 following a period of declining health. He passed away on March 20, 2026, after being hospitalized on March 9.

Filaret was one of the most influential religious leaders in modern Ukrainian history. He broke with the Russian Orthodox Church and co founded the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate in 1992, serving as its patriarch from 1995 to 2018.

His lifelong mission was to establish an Orthodox denomination free from Russian control. In 2019, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople officially recognized the autonomous Orthodox Church of Ukraine, a moment of triumph for Filaret's decades long effort. Following that recognition, over 500 Ukrainian congregations switched their affiliation away from Moscow.

Metropolitan Epiphanius, the current head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, said Filaret's contributions "occupy a special place" in Ukrainian church history, especially regarding "the struggle for the establishment of church autocephaly."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called his death "a great loss for Ukrainians," adding:

Without the energy, character and courage of Patriarch Filaret, many of Ukraine's accomplishments simply would not have been possible.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also paid tribute, stating:

His steadfast life of service shaped Ukraine's spiritual identity during pivotal moments.

Orthodox Patriarch Filaret's Legacy: Ukraine's Spiritual Independence From Russia

Filaret was born in 1929 in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region. He was a longstanding critic of Russian expansion. Following Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, he warned that unchecked Kremlin aggression could trigger "a third world war, in which nuclear weapons may be used," urging the United States to intervene.

His funeral was held on March 23, 2026, at St. Michael's Golden Domed Monastery in Kyiv, with hundreds of mourners gathering to pay their respects. He was buried in the crypt of St. Volodymyr's Cathedral.

The Crusader's Opinion

Patriarch Filaret understood something that too many Western leaders still refuse to accept: Moscow does not merely seek political dominion over Ukraine. It seeks spiritual dominion. The Russian Orthodox Church has been an instrument of Kremlin power for decades, and Filaret spent his entire life resisting that unholy marriage of church and state tyranny. He fought so that Ukrainian Christians could worship God freely, without bowing to a patriarch who answers to the Kremlin. That is a fight every Christian should understand and honor. Rest in peace, Patriarch. Your Church stands free.

Take Action

• Pray: Lift up the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in prayer as they mourn their founding patriarch and continue to worship under the shadow of war.
• Learn: Read about the history of Ukrainian church independence and why it matters for global Christian unity. Visit the Orthodox Church of Ukraine's official site.
• Donate: Support Ukrainian Christians affected by the ongoing war. Give to The Shepherd's Shield or Open Doors USA.
• Share: Post this story to honor Patriarch Filaret's legacy and remind the world that spiritual freedom is worth fighting for.
• Contact Your Representatives: Urge your elected officials to continue supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and religious freedom. Find your representative at house.gov.