Thousands of believers gathered in Kyiv to bid farewell to Filaret

A memorial service for Filaret has begun at St Vladimir’s Cathedral.

Thousands of people have attended the service, according to Kyiv Online.

The number of worshippers is likely to increase.

Filaret has died – details of the patriarch’s death

Honorary Patriarch Filaret died on 20 March. His earthly journey came to an end at the age of 98.

As early as 10 March, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine reported that Filaret’s (Mykhailo Denysenko’s) condition remained serious. He had been under round-the-clock medical supervision since being hospitalised on 9 March.

Archbishop Nikodim (Volodymyr Kobzar) of Sumy and Okhtyrka was elected head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate.
Seven bishops of the UOC-KP, on Saturday 21 March, the day after the death of Patriarch Filaret (Denisenko), announced his election at an extraordinary session of the UOC-KP Council of Bishops.

Earlier, Ukrainians learnt more about the St Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery. It is one of the most famous and revered spiritual centres in Kyiv, which has played a significant role in the city’s religious, cultural and political life for centuries.