Patriarch Filaret Dies: Farewell at St. Michael's Cathedral, Burial Set for St. Volodymyr's Cathedral.

Death of His Holiness Patriarch Filaret

According to TSN.ua: His Holiness Patriarch Filaret has passed away. The farewell ceremony will take place at St. Michael's Cathedral, with burial planned at St. Volodymyr's Cathedral. He died on March 20 in Kyiv at the age of 97. The cause of death was complications from a worsening of chronic illnesses.

On March 9, the patriarch was hospitalized due to a decline in his health. The farewell ceremony began at 8:00 PM on March 20 and will continue until the morning of March 22. On March 21, a memorial Divine Liturgy and a requiem service will be held. The funeral procession with Filaret's body will depart around 11:00 AM from St. Michael's Monastery to St. Volodymyr's Cathedral.

"A great loss for Ukrainians. He was a strong personality and one of the most steadfast defenders of the Ukrainian church, independence, and statehood."

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Impact on Religious Life in Ukraine

The death of Patriarch Filaret has a significant impact on religious and social life in Ukraine. As a leading figure in Ukrainian Orthodoxy, his passing is a major event for many believers and supporters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The farewell and funeral, held in the capital's cathedrals, underscore his importance to the nation and the church. This moment may also serve as an opportunity for the faithful to unite in their time of loss.