Seven Bishops Elect New Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine: Who Succeeds Filaret.

New Patriarch Takes Over After Filaret

According to Novyny.live: Following the death of Filaret at age 98 on March 20, seven bishops from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate have chosen Archbishop Ny Kodym of Sumy as the new Patriarch. The election took place on March 21. Filaret had dedicated 77 years of his life to church service, leaving a lasting legacy in Ukrainian Orthodoxy.

Eight bishops were present for the selection of the new leader, but one abstained. Archbishop Andriy of Bila Tserkva refused to cast a vote. As a result, Archbishop Ny Kodym of Sumy now steps into the role previously held by Filaret, whose influence shaped the course of an independent church in Ukraine.

Background to the Election of the New Leader

This election occurs amid significant shifts in Ukrainian Orthodoxy, intertwined with the country's national and political developments. Filaret, as the head of the Kyiv Patriarchate, played a pivotal role in establishing an autonomous church in Ukraine, and his passing may pose challenges to the stability and unity of Ukrainian Orthodoxy moving forward.

The selection of Ny Kodym as the new primate opens a new chapter in church life, potentially affecting relationships among Orthodox denominations both within Ukraine and internationally.