UOC-KP “bishops” say they missed Filaret’s funeral due to threats from OCU
The newly elected head of the Kyiv Patriarchate, "Bishop" Nikodim, said that pressure had been exerted by supporters of Epifaniy Dumenko.
On March 22, 2026, representatives of the UOC-KP were unable to take part in the official burial rite for Filaret Denysenko. According to a statement by the newly elected head of the organization, Nikodim, published on his Facebook page, they were prevented from coming to bid farewell to their “spiritual father” because of “threats from representatives of the OCU.”
Since they were unable to attend the main ceremony, Nikodim served a memorial panikhida at the Kyiv church dedicated to the icon of the Mother of God “The Burning Bush.” Concelebrating with him were “Bishops” Nikon and Mikhail, as well as the church’s rector Viktor Mileyko and others. The head of the Kyiv Patriarchate called Denysenko’s death “an irreparable loss” not only for their structure, but for the entire Orthodox world.
In his address, Nikodim stressed that the late Denysenko’s life had been marked by an “unceasing struggle for truth and the independence of the Church.” “His figure will remain in history forever as a symbol of courage, faithfulness, and spiritual strength,” Nikodim said. He also instructed all UOC-KP communities to offer daily prayers for Filaret’s repose until the fortieth day. “Let heartfelt prayers be lifted up in every church, in every home; let the memory of the great shepherd resound,” Nikodim urged, calling this a “spiritual duty and an expression of gratitude.”
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the UOC-KP had announced the election of a new “patriarch” to replace Filaret.
