Volodymyr Zelenskyy expresses condolences on the death of the head of the UOC-KP

on March 20, 2026, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a telephone conversation with the head of the OCU Epiphany Dumenko, during which he expressed his deep condolences on the passing of the ancestor of the Ukrainian church schism, Filaret Denisenko.

According to the official website of the OCU, the head of state emphasized the significant personal contribution of the late bishop to the establishment of the country’s spiritual independence. During the conversation, it was emphasized that Filaret Denisenko, for many years, provided unwavering support to the Ukrainian people in their struggle against external aggression.

Earlier, we reported that the OCU took over the organization of Filaret’s funeral, contrary to his will, as set out in his spiritual will. In particular, Filaret bequeathed that the funeral service and burial be performed exclusively by the hierarchs of the UOC-KP in St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral in Kyiv, without the participation of representatives of the OCU.