The Complicated Legacy of Patriarch Filaret: From Leading the Russian Orthodox Church to Founding an Independent Ukrainian Church.

Filaret’s Journey Through Church History

According to TSN.ua: The late Patriarch Filaret carved a significant path in church history, transitioning from a leader of the Russian Orthodox Church to the founder of an independent Ukrainian Orthodox movement, leaving behind a complex legacy. His work marked a pivotal chapter in the story of Ukraine’s church, characterized by both revival and controversy. For English-speaking readers, understanding Filaret’s role is key to grasping the broader religious and political tensions in Eastern Europe.

Filaret became the Metropolitan of Kyiv in the 1960s. This era set the stage for his later efforts, though it was not without difficulties. A turning point came in 1990 when Filaret failed to be elected patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church; instead, Alexy II assumed that role, reshaping the church’s leadership. Following this, Filaret dedicated himself to reviving Ukrainian Orthodoxy, which had faced suppression for decades.

Filaret’s Impact on the Ukrainian Church

Commenting on Filaret’s figure, Vitaliy Portnikov remarked that

“Filaret was the most monumental and controversial figure in postwar church history.”

This highlights the complexity of his legacy and his influence on the Ukrainian church’s development. Portnikov also emphasized that

“Filaret was the architect of the Ukrainian church’s revival,”

underscoring his active role in shaping an independent Orthodox identity in Ukraine.

As a result, Filaret remains a central figure in Ukrainian church history, as his efforts to restore Orthodoxy reflect both the successes and challenges the church faced. It is important to acknowledge that his legacy is intricate and ambiguous, a point reinforced by Portnikov’s observation that

“I heard the slogan ‘better a German than a Ukrainian’ more than once back then.”

These words illustrate the environment in which Filaret operated, as he sought to defend Ukrainian Orthodoxy amid external pressure and internal divisions.

Filaret occupies a crucial place in the history of Ukrainian Orthodoxy, since his contributions to the church’s restoration mirror not only religious shifts but also the socio-political transformations within the country. Despite the controversies surrounding his actions, Filaret became a symbol of the struggle for an independent Ukrainian church—a legacy that continues to resonate in contemporary ecclesiastical developments in Ukraine.