Patriarch Filaret dies at 97

Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has died at the age of 97.

According to Ukrinform, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Epiphanius announced this on Facebook.

"Today there is deep sorrow and grief in my heart, as well as in the hearts of many Ukrainians, because the earthly path of His Holiness Patriarch Filaret has come to an end. I call on the faithful across Ukraine to offer heartfelt prayers for the repose of the soul of the newly departed Patriarch Filaret, who has gone to the Lord today," the head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine wrote.

He noted that prayers and remembrance of Filaret will remain in the local autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church forever.

"We will always remember Patriarch Filaret's guidance on the importance of maintaining the unity of the Ukrainian Church around the Kyiv See. We will also remember and follow his lessons and teachings on the importance of conciliarity, humility before the will of God and the will of the fullness of the Church, and devoted service to God, the Church of Christ, and the Ukrainian people," he added.

On March 9, Patriarch Filaret had been hospitalized due to a deterioration in his health.