A Life of 77 Years in Service: Kyrylo Budanov Pays Tribute to Patriarch Filaret’s Defining Role in the Church.

The Passing of Patriarch Filaret

According to Novyny.live: Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has honored the memory of Patriarch Filaret, who passed away at the age of 98. Filaret dedicated 77 years to church service, making a profound contribution to the development and restoration of the Orthodox community in Ukraine.

On March 9, 2023, it was reported that Patriarch Filaret had been hospitalized due to a decline in his health. Metropolitan Epiphanius stated that Filaret’s death resulted from complications related to chronic illnesses. He was recognized with the highest honors from the Russian Orthodox Church and other Orthodox churches. Additionally, Filaret was a full recipient of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise.

'Hero of Ukraine, His Holiness Patriarch Filaret, has passed into eternity. His contribution to the restoration and development of an independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine has been decisive.' - Kyrylo Budanov

The death of Patriarch Filaret marks a significant moment not only for Ukraine’s Orthodox community but for the entire nation, given his influence on the establishment of an independent church. Over his decades of service, he became a symbol of the struggle for Ukrainian Orthodox autonomy—a cause that gained particular relevance amid the country’s political changes. His legacy will undoubtedly endure in the memory of many and will continue to shape future developments in the nation’s ecclesiastical affairs.