Filaret willed that we, specifically, should bury him – OCU spokesman
Yevstratiy Zoria. Photo: Ukrinform
On April 1, 2026, OCU spokesman Yevstratiy Zoria held a press conference devoted to relations with the UOC-KP after Filaret’s death. During it, he claimed that Filaret’s funeral service in the OCU had been conducted in accordance with the late patriarch’s own wishes.
“It was the patriarch’s own will – and we know that,” Zoria said, without specifying the source of that information. He called statements by UOC-KP “hierarchs” that Filaret’s body had been seized by OCU representatives “absolute speculation and, moreover, disrespect toward the family of the late Patriarch Filaret.”
Responding to a question about Filaret’s testament, which states that he wished to be buried specifically by the UOC-KP rather than the OCU, Zoria said that it “does not constitute the patriarch’s will.” Despite the existence of video footage showing Filaret signing the document, the OCU spokesman insisted that he “gave no consent whatsoever to this document” and that “it is simply a piece of paper with no legal or other consequences.”
According to Zoria, the document was written by other people, and Filaret never read it.
As previously reported, Filaret had written a “spiritual testament” in which he forbade OCU representatives from conducting his funeral service.
Read also
Lionel Messi thanks God for his achievements as he ends international career
Argentine football star Lionel Messi credited God for his success as he brought his international career to a close, saying he could never have achieved so much without God's will.
Odesa’s St. Elijah Monastery honors memory of its founder
Metropolitan Agafangel led celebrations at St. Elijah Monastery in Odesa on the feast day of St. Gabriel of Mount Athos.
OCU cleric rejects suspension, accuses ruling bishop of usurping power
An OCU cleric called the decree suspending him "canonically null and void" and accused "Bishop" Semanchuk of attempting to seize parishes and using mobilization threats as blackmail.
Supreme Court: Religious beliefs do not exempt citizens from mobilization
The Supreme Court has clarified that Ukrainian law does not provide for alternative civilian service under martial law.
Ukraine birth rate drops 17%, demographer says
The head of a department at Ukraine’s Institute of Demography has reported a sharp decline in the country's birth rate.
Khust Eparchy honors memory of St. Job of Uholka
A Liturgy is served in Mala Uholka, a birthplace of St. Job of Uholka, on the saint's feast day.