Religious leader Filaret passed away on March 20, 2026, at the age of 97. Introduction Filaret was a prominent Ukrainian religious leader and long-time primate of the Kyiv Patriarchate. He received widespread attention for his role in the development of an independent Ukrainian Orthodoxy and for his long, influential career. Career and Achievements Filaret, born Mykhailo Antonovych Denysenko in 1929, had a career spanning from the Soviet era to independent Ukraine. Below are the key moments and achievements in chronological order. Born on January 23, 1929, in Blahodatne, Amvrosiivka Raion, Donetsk; entered the clergy under the name Filaret. Served as Metropolitan of Kyiv within the Moscow Patriarchate until political and church changes after 1991 led to separations. In 1992, he played a crucial role in the founding of the Kyiv Patriarchate, in response to the desire for Ukrainian religious autonomy. In 1997, Filaret was excommunicated by the Russian Orthodox Church, marking a significant break in Eastern European church politics. His rehabilitation by the Patriarchate of Constantinople in 2018 marked a key moment toward church reconciliation and supported the path to a united Ukrainian church. In 2018, he was succeeded by Metropolitan Epiphany I; in 2019, he received the title Honorary Patriarch Emeritus of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Filaret was regarded as a central figure in the movement for Ukrainian church independence and as a symbol of religious freedom after the fall of the Soviet Union. Private Life Publicly known is that Filaret was born Mykhailo Antonovych Denysenko and held Ukrainian nationality. He survived the Soviet period, and his life and work were strongly connected to the revival of the Ukrainian Orthodox tradition. Passing Filaret died on March 20, 2026, at the age of 97. The place of death was Kyiv, Ukraine. The cause of death is not publicly known. At the time of writing, official announcements regarding mourning or memorial activities have not yet been fully confirmed. Conclusion With the passing of Filaret, Ukrainian Orthodoxy loses an influential advocate for church independence. His work contributed to the consolidation of an independent Ukrainian church identity and remains significant for religion and society in Ukraine. On Overleden.net, you can find more notable deceased individuals in the category of religious leaders. This article was prepared with the support of AI tools and verified by the editorial team of Overleden.net.