Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine marked the 97th birthday of Patriarch emeritus Filaret, former Metropolitan of Kyiv, a historic figure for Ukraine and the Ukrainian Church, with a warm and respectful message published on social media.
In his post, Metropolitan Epifaniy described Patriarch Filaret as “a landmark figure for Ukraine and the Ukrainian Church,” extending “heartfelt and warm congratulations on the occasion of such a venerable anniversary.”
Addressing Patriarch Filaret directly, he emphasized the deep respect felt for his lifelong contribution to the Church, noting that his ministry bore significant fruit both during the years of Soviet persecution and in the era of Ukraine’s independence. As he wrote, Patriarch Filaret’s efforts were “directed toward defending the ministry of the Church during the years of Soviet oppression, and later, in the years of an independent Ukraine, toward the spiritual renewal of the people and the affirmation of autocephaly.”
Metropolitan Epifaniy also recalled Patriarch Filaret’s decisive role in recent Church history, expressing gratitude once again for his contribution to the unification of Ukrainian Orthodoxy. “As seven years ago, during the celebration of your 90th anniversary, today we again thank you for your contribution to achieving unity of Ukrainian Orthodoxy at the Council in Saint Sophia and for obtaining from the Ecumenical Patriarchate the Tomos of autocephaly,” he wrote. He stressed that this achievement “truly strengthened the spiritual foundation of Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty and dismantled the wall of artificial external isolation of our Local Church from communion with world Orthodoxy.”
Concluding his message, Metropolitan Epifaniy echoed Patriarch Filaret’s own testimony that love must be the foundation of Church life. Referring to their previous meeting and shared prayer for Ukraine’s victory, he wrote: “Sincerely sharing your witness that love is and must be the basis of Church life, in the spirit of this love, on the day of your birth we wish you strengthening of spiritual and physical strength, inexhaustible mercy of God, and every blessing from the Chief Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ.”
