On the evening of March 20, 2026, the body of the late former Metropolitan Filaret of Kyiv arrived at the Cathedral of St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv.
At St. Michael’s Square, in front of the bell tower, the coffin was received by numerous clergy and carried into the cathedral, led by the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epifaniy.
Subsequently, the Metropolitan, together with Metropolitan Yevstratiy of Bila Tserkva, Archbishop Agapit of Vyshhorod, Bishop Ephraim of Vasylkiv, the brotherhood of the monastery, and clergy, officiated a memorial service for the repose of the late Patriarch Filaret.
Following the service, Metropolitan Epiphanius addressed the faithful:
“Reverend fathers, dear family of the late Patriarch Filaret, brothers and sisters, today the heart of a faithful son of Ukraine has ceased to beat — an unyielding builder of our Local Orthodox Church of Ukraine, a man who dedicated his entire life to the service of God, Ukraine, and the Ukrainian people.
Our sacred duty is, above all, to offer prayers and to duly honor the labors he accomplished for the establishment of our autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Much can be said about Patriarch Filaret, as for many decades he carried out significant and beneficial work both for the Church and the Ukrainian people, as well as for the formation of the Ukrainian state. He tirelessly advocated for the unity of Orthodox Ukrainians around the Kyiv Throne, and it is our duty to continue the mission he faithfully fulfilled for many years.
His name is inscribed in golden letters in our history, and his final words were words of love. During our recent meeting, he spoke, like the Apostle John the Theologian, about love and called on us to preserve it, for love has the power to unite.
It is no coincidence that the farewell begins at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral, since through his efforts and unwavering faith this sacred temple was restored and now stands in all its majesty.
Remembering all this, we will continue to pray for him — may the Lord grant rest to the soul of the departed Patriarch Filaret. We believe that, through His mercy, and for the good works accomplished in love, the Lord will deem him worthy of the incorruptible crown in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
The body of the late Patriarch will remain at the cathedral until the morning of Sunday, March 22, allowing the faithful to pay their respects. Thereafter, following the funeral service, the body will be transferred in solemn procession to St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral, where the burial will take place.
Source: pomisna
