OCU Head Epiphany Dumenko meets with UOC-KP leader Filaret Denisenko

on November 5, 2025, the head of the OCU Epiphany Dumenko met with the leader of the UOC-KP Filaret Denisenko in Kyiv. During the conversation, the hierarchs discussed Filaret’s many years of ministry and the importance of unity, concluding the conversation with a joint prayer for the victory of Ukraine.

According to the press service of the OCU, the meeting was held at the residence of Epiphany Dumenko in the Metropolitan House. It was a continuation of the dialogue that began on October 26, when the head of the OCU personally congratulated Filaret Denisenko on the 30th anniversary of his enthronement. The current conversation was also attended by OCU hierarchs Dimitriy Rudyuk, Serhiy Gorobets, Yevstratiy Zorya and Agapit Humeniuk.

At the beginning of the conversation, the head of the OCU expressed gratitude to Filaret for his many years of service “in the formation of the autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church.” The participants of the meeting discussed the challenges posed by Russian aggression and the situation in the temporarily occupied territories. Particular attention was paid to the role of the Ukrainian language in worship, where the outstanding personal contribution of Patriarch Filaret was noted.

“Thank God that we can communicate like this. We need to show love and constantly thank God for all His blessings,” said the head of the UOC-KP in his speech. Dumenko, for his part, emphasized the “achievements of the church” that “have become a solid foundation that no enemy can destroy.”

In recognition of the merits of the “Honorary Patriarch” in the revival of St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral and on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of its consecration, Epifaniy Dumenko presented him with a letter of gratitude. After the official part, Filaret toured the Metropolitan’s House, after which a joint prayer was held in St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral for Ukraine’s victory over the aggressor and the establishment of a just peace.

Earlier, the head of the UOC-KP, Filaret Denisenko, made public his “spiritual testament.” In the document, timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of his “patriarchal ministry, ” he reaffirmed his rejection of the OCU, reiterated his call for the unification of all branches of Ukrainian Orthodoxy to create a church independent of Moscow and Constantinople, and set out his instructions in case of his death.