Representatives of the UOC-KP report threats from the OCU and hold a separate memorial service for Filaret Denisenko

Representatives of the UOC-KP were unable to attend the official burial ceremony of their spiritual leader Filaret Denisenko, citing pressure and threats from supporters of the OCU. Due to the inability to attend the main burial ceremony, the newly elected head of the organization, Nikodim, held an alternative funeral service and announced a forty-day period of intense prayers in all communities of the structure.

According to the new head of the UOC-KP on his Facebook page, the incident occurred on March 22, 2026. Kobzar explained that representatives of his structure were forced to refuse to participate in the official farewell due to “threats from representatives of the OCU” (supporters of Epiphany Dumenko). Instead, Nicodemus held a funeral service in the Kyiv church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Burning Bush”, where he was concelebrated by “bishops” Nikon and Mikhail, as well as local clergy.

During his address to the faithful, Nikodim stressed that Denisenko’s death was an “irreparable loss” not only for their organization but for all of Orthodoxy, calling the deceased’s life “a tireless struggle for the truth and independence of the church.” The head of the “Kyiv Patriarchate” ordered to establish a daily prayer for Filaret’s repose in all communities of the UOC-KP until the fortieth day, calling it “a spiritual duty and gratitude to the great shepherd.”

As reported, a sharp conflict erupted between the OCU and the UOC-KP over the right to conduct the burial of the deceased Filaret Denisenko. Representatives of the UOC-KP accused their opponents of “raiding” the body and violating the last will of the late head of the Kyiv Patriarchate, according to which he was to be buried in St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral in Kyiv.