Filaret, Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan

Patriarch Filaret, born Mykhailo Antonovych Denysenko on 23 January 1929, is a prominent and often controversial figure in the history of Ukrainian Orthodoxy. He has played a central role in the ecclesiastical landscape of Ukraine, particularly in the movement towards an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Early Ecclesiastical Career and Separation from Moscow

Filaret’s extensive ecclesiastical career began within the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), where he rose to the influential position of Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine from 1966 to 1992. This period saw him as the highest-ranking ROC hierarch in Ukraine during Soviet times and the early post-Soviet era. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Ukraine's declaration of independence, a strong desire emerged for an autocephalous, or independent, Ukrainian Orthodox Church, separate from Moscow.

In response to these aspirations and after attempts to secure autocephaly for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate failed, Filaret spearheaded the establishment of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP) in 1992. This move was viewed by the Russian Orthodox Church as a schismatic act, leading to significant canonical repercussions. Consequently, the ROC took severe disciplinary measures against him. In 1997, Patriarch Filaret was formally defrocked, meaning he was stripped of his priestly rank and episcopal authority, and subsequently excommunicated, signifying his expulsion from communion with the Russian Orthodox Church. These actions rendered him canonically unrecognized by the ROC and other Orthodox churches in communion with Moscow.

Leadership of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate

From 1995 to 2018, Patriarch Filaret served as the primate and Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate. The UOC-KP, despite its significant following in Ukraine and its strong nationalist stance, was not recognized by the global canonical Orthodox churches. These churches largely considered it schismatic due to its unilateral separation from the Moscow Patriarchate without official blessing from the Ecumenical Patriarchate or other autocephalous churches. Under his leadership, the UOC-KP became a symbol of national religious identity, distinct from the Russian Orthodox Church and its influence.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate's Role and Reinstatement

A pivotal development occurred on 11 October 2018, when the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, often regarded as the "first among equals" in the Orthodox world and holding a unique historical canonical prerogative, made a historic decision concerning Patriarch Filaret and the broader Ukrainian church question. Recognizing its historical right to hear appeals from Orthodox clergy and laity worldwide, Constantinople lifted the anathemas and excommunication that had been imposed on Filaret by the Russian Orthodox Church. This act effectively reinstated him in church communion, restoring his episcopal rank.

However, it is crucial to note the precise and nuanced nature of this reinstatement: while Patriarch Filaret was indeed restored to the episcopate, the Ecumenical Patriarchate explicitly stated that it did not recognize him as "Patriarch" of a non-canonical entity like the UOC-KP. Instead, Constantinople clarified that it views him as the former Metropolitan of Kyiv, acknowledging his previous canonical status within the Orthodox Church before the schism, and emphasizing that the UOC-KP itself remained an unrecognized body from a canonical perspective.

Unification and the Birth of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine

Following Constantinople's transformative decisions, a momentous unification council took place in Kyiv on 15 December 2018. This council saw the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate, the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (another historically independent Ukrainian Orthodox body), and some clergy and faithful from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) unite to form a new, unified church: the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). This new church was subsequently granted autocephaly (self-governance) by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, signifying its full canonical recognition in the global Orthodox communion. With the formation of the OCU, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate officially ceased to exist as an independent entity, having dissolved into the newly established autocephalous church.

In this new canonical structure, Patriarch Filaret initially held the honorary title of "Honorary Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine" from 2018 to 2019. However, within a short period, disagreements emerged regarding the new church's statutes and its perceived degree of independence from Constantinople. Patriarch Filaret contended that the OCU had conceded too much autonomy, compromising its full independence. Consequently, in 2019, he announced the re-establishment of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate, effectively separating from the OCU and resuming his role as its Patriarch. This action led to him being removed from his honorary position within the OCU and further complicated the landscape of Ukrainian Orthodoxy, positioning him once again as the leader of a church not recognized by the majority of the Orthodox world, including the OCU itself and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Frequently Asked Questions About Patriarch Filaret

Who is Patriarch Filaret?

Patriarch Filaret, born Mykhailo Antonovych Denysenko, is a leading and historically significant figure in Ukrainian Orthodoxy, known for his long struggle to establish and lead an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church, separate from Moscow.

Why was Patriarch Filaret defrocked and excommunicated by the Russian Orthodox Church?

The Russian Orthodox Church defrocked and excommunicated Patriarch Filaret in 1997 because he broke away from the ROC to establish the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP) in 1992, which the ROC considered a schismatic act and a grave violation of church canons.

What was the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in Patriarch Filaret's status?

On 11 October 2018, the Ecumenical Patriarchate lifted the anathemas against Patriarch Filaret, reinstating him to episcopal communion. However, they did not recognize him as "Patriarch" of the UOC-KP, viewing him instead as the former Metropolitan of Kyiv, acknowledging his previous canonical rank within the Orthodox Church before the schism.

What happened to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP)?

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP) officially ceased to exist as an independent entity on 15 December 2018, when it united with other Ukrainian Orthodox bodies to form the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). Despite this, Patriarch Filaret later attempted to revive the UOC-KP in 2019.

What is the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU)?

The Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) is a unified, autocephalous (self-governing) Ukrainian Orthodox Church, established on 15 December 2018, with the blessing and recognition of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. It was formed by the merger of the UOC-KP, the Ukrainian Autocephalos Orthodox Church, and some members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate).