To His Eminence Metropolitan Ioasaf of Belgorod and Oboyan, the Brother Bishops, clergy, monastics and faithful of the sister Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate

On behalf of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church, we extend our sincere condolences on the passing of a great Orthodox spiritual father, a true shepherd of the Church of Christ — His Holiness, the Patriarch of Kyiv and All Rus’-Ukraine, Filaret.

The Montenegrin Orthodox Church and the Montenegrin people share in the grief of our Ukrainian brethren at the departure of our sincere friend, Patriarch Filaret. His Holiness dedicated his entire life to conciliarity and the preservation of the unity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, paternally protecting the flock entrusted to him, thereby becoming a radiant example to all who seek freedom and Christ.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Mt 5:14).

So too the honourable life’s work of the great Patriarch Filaret can neither be forgotten nor erased from our hearts.

It was our honour to have had such a friend — who was also the first Orthodox Patriarch to visit the restored Montenegrin Orthodox Church in Cetinje, leaving a lasting testimony to the closeness of our Churches.

We shall pray for the repose of his noble soul, as well as for the peace, unity and freedom of fraternal Ukraine.

In Cetinje, 20 March 2026

Archbishop of Cetinje and Metropolitan of Montenegro

† MIHAILO

Archbishop of Kotor and the Littoral Minister of Foreign Affairs of the CPC

† SIMEON

Bishop of Ostrog-Nikšić and Argentina

† GORAZD