Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine issued a message on the occasion of the passing of Patriarch Filaret.
“Today, deep sorrow and grief fill my heart, as well as the hearts of many Ukrainians, because the earthly journey of His Beatitude, Patriarch Filaret, has come to an end. I call upon the entire Ukrainian flock to offer heartfelt prayers for the repose of the late Patriarch Filaret’s soul, which he has entrusted to the Lord today,” the Metropolitan stated in his message.
Elsewhere in the message, the Metropolitan emphasized: “The heart of Patriarch Filaret ceased to beat at the age of 98. Yet, prayer and remembrance for him will remain forever in the local autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”
Read below the full text of Metropolitan Epifaniy’s message:
Today, my heart, like those of many Ukrainians, is filled with deep sorrow and grief because the earthly journey of His Beatitude, Patriarch Filaret, has come to an end.
I call upon the entire Ukrainian flock to offer heartfelt prayers for the repose of Patriarch Filaret’s soul, which he entrusted to the Lord today. Let us ask the Almighty to welcome him into the Heavenly Kingdom. My sincere condolences to the relatives of the blessed hierarch!
We will always remember Patriarch Filaret’s guidance on preserving the unity of the Ukrainian Church around the Throne of Kyiv. We will also remember his teachings about the importance of canonical order, humility before God’s will and the will of the Church, and devoted service to God, the Church of Christ, and the Ukrainian people.
Patriarch Filaret’s heart ceased beating at the age of 98. Yet, the local autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church will forever pray for and remember him. May the memory of the late Patriarch be eternal, and may he rejoice in heaven for the fruits of his good works on earth!
