A regular session of the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Orthodox Church of Ukraine) was held in the Synodal Hall of the Metropolitan Residence at the Holy Dormition Lavra of the Caves in Kyiv.
Eleven members of the Holy Synod participated in the session, while one was absent due to serious circumstances.
Before the session’s commencement, a memorial service was held at the Church of the Elevation of the Precious Cross of the Lavra in honour of the late former member of the Holy Synod, Patriarch Emeritus Filaret. The service was presided over by Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine. Additionally, a memorial service was held at the grave of the late Metropolitan Volodymyr of blessed memory, with the participation of the Synod members.
1. The Synod heard a report from Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine on the death of Patriarch Emeritus Filaret.
Following complications from chronic illnesses, His Beatitude reposed in the Lord on 20 March 2026, at the age of 98. He was the former Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate. His body was brought to the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv for veneration and memorial prayers. On 22 March, the funeral procession proceeded from St Michael’s Monastery to the Patriarchal Cathedral of St Volodymyr in Kyiv, where the funeral service was held. In accordance with his wishes, he was buried inside the cathedral.
The Synod resolved to express its gratitude to all those who contributed to the funeral service and burial of the late Patriarch Filaret and to honour his memory and express their condolences. The Synod calls upon the faithful of the Church in Ukraine to continue praying for the repose of his soul.
It was noted that the Synodal decision regarding the status of the late Patriarch Filaret as a retired hierarch of the Church has been fully implemented and is no longer in force.
From 20 March 2026 onwards, the Patriarchal Residence complex in Kyiv and the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Volodymyr will fall under the full canonical jurisdiction of Metropolitan Epifaniy.
Following their petitions, the clergy of the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Volodymyr in Kyiv received confirmation from Metropolitan Epifaniy of their ministerial duties within the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Following the death of Patriarch Emeritus Filaret, who was a permanent member of the Holy Synod according to the Church Statute, although he did not participate in its meetings and his prerogatives had been suspended, it was determined that one seat in the Holy Synod is now vacant. The Synod requested the appointment of a new member to complete its prescribed composition.
Archbishop Lavrentiy of Luhansk and Starobilsk was appointed as the new member for the summer 2026 session and took part in the meeting immediately.
2. The Synod condemned the uncanonical actions of a group of individuals, including deposed and suspended clergy, who have appropriated the name of the Church arbitrarily and without justification.
It was decided that certain individuals should be summoned once again before the Holy Synod to provide explanations, as ecclesiastical judicial proceedings have been initiated against them.
The Synod reiterated that the conferral of any episcopal rank without the approval of the Holy Synod and the blessing of the Primate is invalid and will not be recognised.
It was also noted that some individuals had already been deposed by Synodal decisions due to serious violations of canon law.
Individuals originating from Greek Old Calendarist schismatic groups who style themselves as ‘bishops’ are not recognised as such and fall under the canonical jurisdiction of the Church of Greece.
The repentance of the aforementioned individuals, as well as any request for reconciliation with the Church, may be considered upon submission of a written petition in accordance with canonical order.
3. The Synod approved a statement by the Metropolis of Kyiv regarding recent events following the death of Patriarch Filaret. The Synod noted that the statement expresses the Church’s position on these matters.
4. At the suggestion of Metropolitan Epifaniy, His Grace Izyaslav was awarded the title of ‘Archbishop of Yahotyn’.
5–7. The Synod proceeded with the election and appointment of new auxiliary bishops for the dioceses of Kyiv and Rivne.
The ordinations of the newly elected bishops will take place in Kyiv by decision of the Primate.
8. The Synod considered a letter from the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew regarding the ministry of Ukrainian clergy in Scandinavia, and decided to send an appropriate response.
9. New ecclesiastical decorations were established to honour hierarchs, clergy and faithful for their service to the Church.
10. A decision was made to convert a men’s monastery in Kyiv into a women’s monastery, along with the necessary administrative changes and the appointment of a new abbess.
11. Amendments to the statute of another monastery were approved due to administrative changes.
Thus, consideration of the items on the agenda was concluded.
Source: pomisna.info
