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Filaret Denysenko Ukrainian Orthodox hierarch, patriarch of Kyiv dead at age 97

Filaret Denysenko: key obituary facts

Is Filaret Denysenko dead? Yes. Filaret Denysenko died on March 20, 2026, at age 97.

Cause of death: Filaret Denysenko's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.

What was Filaret Denysenko known for?

Filaret Denysenko was an Ukrainian Orthodox hierarch, patriarch of Kyiv (since 1995).

More about Filaret Denysenko

Born: January 23, 1929.

Filaret Denysenko, a Ukrainian Orthodox hierarch and patriarch of Kyiv since 1995, died on March 20, 2026.

Born Mykhailo Antonovych Denysenko on January 23, 1929, he served as the primate and Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church–Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC–KP). The Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which he left in 2019, regarded him as Honorary Patriarch emeritus, while the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople recognized him as a former Metropolitan of Kyiv.

Patriarch Filaret (secular name Mykhailo Antonovych Denysenko; Ukrainian: Михайло Антонович Денисенко; 23 January 1929 – 20 March 2026) was a Ukrainian religious leader, serving as the primate and Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church–Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC–KP). The Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), which he left in 2019, viewed him as the Honorary Patriarch emeritus, while the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople recognized him as a former Metropolitan of Kyiv.

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