Zelenskyy Honors Patriarch Filaret

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska of Ukraine attended the solemn farewell ceremony for His Holiness Filaret, the Honorary Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine. The event was held at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv, marking a significant moment in the nation’s religious and cultural history.

During the ceremony, the Ukrainian President and his wife expressed their deep respect and personal condolences to the leader of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine. The couple also shared their reflections on social media, emphasizing Patriarch Filaret’s crucial role in achieving an independent Ukrainian church and his enduring contributions to the country’s spiritual freedom and statehood.

“Patriarch Filaret’s efforts were pivotal in ensuring Ukraine’s spiritual independence and the establishment of our autocephalous church. His perseverance and courage are integral to the history of Ukraine’s independence and our ongoing journey towards a strong, sovereign state. We remember, we honor, and we remain grateful,” they stated. The ceremony highlighted a unifying moment for the nation, reflecting on the Patriarch’s lifelong dedication to Ukraine’s religious autonomy and national identity.