UOC glorifies venerable confessor Filaret of Zverynets as saint

The Zverynets Monastery of the UOC in Kyiv. Photo: The UOC press service

On 6 April 2025, the fifth Sunday of Great Lent, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church received a new saint: His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and all Ukraine performed the canonisation of the venerable confessor Filaret (Kochubey), the abbot of the Zverynets Monastery. The solemn service took place at the Archangel Michael Monastery of Zverynets in Kyiv, reports the UOC press service.

The official decision of the UOC Holy Synod regarding the establishment of veneration for the new saint was read out by Metropolitan Clement of Nizhyn and Pryluky. After the life of venerable confessor Filaret was read, the troparion, kontakion, and hymn to the saint were sung for the first time.

In his sermon after the reading of the Gospel, the Primate of the UOC emphasised the significance of the confessor’s feat in modern times and the relevance of St Filaret's spiritual legacy for today's Orthodox Christians.

The solemn service was attended by: Metropolitan Antony of Boryspil and Brovary, the UOC's Chancellor, Archbishops Jonah of Obukhiv, Kassian of Ivankiv, Sylvester of Bilohorodka, Bishops Lavr of Irpin and Mark of Borodianka, as well as numerous clergy and faithful.

During the service, special prayers were offered for peace in Ukraine and assistance to all those affected by the ongoing conflict. In a special prayer, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry asked the Lord "to grant wisdom to the authorities, strengthen the courage of the soldiers, free the captives, heal the sick, and provide shelter to those left without homes".

At the end of the service, the Primate of the UOC visited the ancient caves of the Zverynets Monastery, where the holy fathers laboured, and venerated the relics of the monastery.

Note from the UOJ: Venerable confessor Filaret (Kochubey) was the abbot of Zverynets Monastery during the persecutions against the Church. He is known for his unwavering faithfulness to Orthodoxy and ascetic life. He endured numerous trials for his faith but remained faithful to Christ and His Church until the end. A detailed life of the saint will be published soon.

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