Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev)

Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) (1935-2021)

Philaret may be spelt Filaret, Philaretus, Philaretos.

Vakhromeyev may be spelt Vakhromeev, Vakhromejev.

Paul may be spelt Pavel, Paulus.

Family background

Alexander Ivanovich Vakhromeyev was a famous merchant in Yaroslavl, in the Russian Empire, and in 1913, he was made a hereditary nobleman by the Emperor Nicholas II.

His son, Bartholomew Alexandrovich Vakhromeyev (1904-1984) was a teacher in the Gnesin Musical College at the Moscow Conservatory, and he was the author of the textbook “Elementary Theory of Music”. For compiling a textbook of church singing for theological schools, he was awarded the Order of Saint Prince Vladimir, 2nd class. His wife, Alexandra Feodorovna Vakhromeyeva (1903-1981), and his daughter, Olga Varfolomeyevna Vakhromeyeva (1925-1997), also were teachers in the Moscow musical schools.

Gnesin Musical College

This family was a devoted and believing family, and the children were raised in the bosom of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Early life of Kirill Varfolomeyevich Vakhromeyev

On 21 March, 1935, Kirill Varfolomeyevich Vakhromeyev was born to Bartholomew Alexandrovich Vakhromeyev and Alexandra Feodorovna Vakhromeyeva in Moscow, in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

Kirill grew up in this city, and he there received his primary and secondary education.

In 1953, Kirill graduated from Secondary School No. 557. At the same time, he graduated also from a music school, in the class of choral singing, and also in the instrument class of the contrabass (double-bass) viol.

Contrabass viol

Higher education

In 1953, Kirill Varfolomeyevich entered the Moscow Theological Seminary at the Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra at Zagorsk (now Sergeyev Posad), from which he graduated in 1957. He then entered the Moscow Theological Academy, from which he graduated in 1961.

Moscow Theological Seminary and Academy

Upon his graduation in 1961, he received the Doctorate of Theology (Candidate) degree for his work : “The Pastoral Care of Filaret, Metropolitan of Moscow, according to his Letters”. He remained as a professorial scholar at the Moscow Theological Academy. In November of the same year, he was assigned to be a teacher at the Moscow Theological Academy.

Monastic tonsure, 1959

While he was in his second year at the theological academy, on 3 April, 1959, Kirill Varfolomeyevich was tonsured to be a monk by Archimandrite Pimen (Khmelevsky), Abbot of the Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra. He was given the name Philaret (Filaret), and his patron saint became the Righteous Philaret the Merciful.

Monk Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was also ordained to the Holy Subdiaconate.

Diaconal ordination, 1959

On 26 April, 1959, Monk Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was ordained by Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky) of Moscow to the Holy Diaconate during the Divine Liturgy in the Holy Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow.

Holy Epiphany Cathedral, Yelokhovo, Moscow

Diaconal service

Hierodeacon Philaret (Vakhromeyev) continued in his studies, and in his obediences in the Brotherhood of the Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra.

Presbyteral ordination, 1961

On 14 December, 1961, Hierodeacon Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was ordained by Patriarch Alexei I (Simansky) to the Holy Priesthood at the Divine Liturgy in the Temple of the Holy Righteous Philaret the Merciful in the Patriarchal Chambers of the Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra.

Pastoral service

Hieromonk Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was assigned to serve as a teacher at the Moscow Theological Seminary and Academy.

From 1961-1965, he was assigned also to serve as the secretary of the Commission of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Church of Russia for Christian Unity.

In September, 1962, Hieromonk Philaret was assigned to serve as senior assistant to the inspector of the Moscow Theological Academy.

In June, 1963, he was assigned to serve as the Inspector of the Moscow Theological Academy.

On 4 August, 1963, at the Dormition Cathedral of the Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra, he was elevated to the dignity of igumen by Bishop Pitirim (Nechaev) of Volokolamsk. He was given the blessing to wear the jewelled Cross and to carry the staff of an igumen (somewhat like a walking-stick).

Holy Dormition Catholicon, Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra

In September, 1963, Archimandrite Philaret was placed in charge of the post-graduate programme at the Moscow Theological Academy.

On 8 October, 1963, he was elevated to the dignity of archimandrite by Patriarch Alexei I.

On 8 October, 1965, by the decision of the Holy Synod of Bishops, Archimandrite Philaret was elected to become a bishop.

On 23 October, 1965, Archimandrite Philaret (Vakhromeyev) passed through the preparation for ordination to the Holy Episcopate in the home Temple of the Leningrad Theological Academy.

Episcopal Ordination, 1965

On 24 October, 1965, at the Divine Liturgy in the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Saint Alexander Nevsky Lavra, Archimandrite Philaret was ordained to the Holy Episcopate by Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov) of Leningrad and Ladoga ; Archbishop Leonid (Polyakov) of Perm and Solikamsk ; Archbishop Sergei (Petrov) of Kherson and Odessa ; Archbishop Anthony (Melnikov) of Minsk and Byelorussia ; Bishop Ioann (Ivanov) of Kirov and Slobod ; and Bishop Melchizedek (Lebedev) of Vologda and Velikoustiug.

Saint Alexander Nevsky Lavra with Holy Trinity Catholicon-Cathedral

Episcopal service

Bishop Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was assigned to serve as the Bishop of Tikhvin, and Vicar-Bishop of the Leningrad Diocese.

Dormition Cathedral, Tikhvin

This was long before the re-opening of the Tikhvin Dormition Monastery.

By the decision of the Holy Synod of Bishops, on 14 May, 1966, Bishop Philaret was assigned to serve as the Bishop of Dmitrov, and Vicar-Bishop of the Moscow Diocese. He was also assigned to serve as the rector of the Moscow Theological Academy.

On 7 October, 1966, he was appointed a member of the editorial board of the journal “Theological Works”.

On 28 November, 1968, Bishop Philaret was assigned to serve as the second deputy chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate (DECR).

On 20 March, 1969, he was included in the commission of the Holy Synod on matters regarding Christian unity.

On 16 December, 1969, he was included in the “Commission for the Study of the Question of the Elevation of the Archbishop of Japan, Nicholas (Kasatkin), to the Rank of Saints”. In connexion with the work of the commission, he visited Japan.

From 6 September, 1971, until 25 August, 1972, he was assigned to serve temporarily as the administrator of the Kalinin Diocese.

On 9 September, 1971, Patriarch Pimen (Izvekov) elevated him to the dignity of archbishop.

On 19 October, 1971, he was relieved of his responsibility as deputy chairman of the DECR, in accordance with the request.

By the 18 April, 1973, decree of the Holy Synod of Bishops, Archbishop Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was assigned to serve as the Archbishop of Berlin and Central Europe, the Patriarchal Exarch of Central Europe.

Holy Resurrection Cathedral, Berlin, Germany

On 7 May, 1974, Archbishop Philaret was elected to be an honourary member of the Moscow Theological Academy.

On 15 April, 1975, Archbishop Philaret was elevated to the dignity of metropolitan.

Metropolitan Philaret

On 3 March, 1976, Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was elected to the “Commission of the Holy Synod for Matters of Christian Unity and Inter-church Relations”.

On 3 September, 1977, Metropolitan Philaret was awarded the right to wear a second panagia.

Metropolitan of Minsk and Byelorussia, 1978

On 10 October, 1978, by the decision of the Holy Synod of Bishops, Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was assigned to serve as the Metropolitan of Minsk and Byelorussia.

Holy Spirit Cathedral, Minsk

On 12 October, 1978, Metropolitan Philaret was assigned also to serve as the Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe. From this time, he repeatedly visited the parishes of the exarchate.

Further, there were some occasions on which he visited in Canada and in the USA. On occasions of Divine Services, when clergy (who were generally unaccustomed to hierarchical services) were uncertain about their singing, he would simply raise his hands ; with joy lead them with his hands and his voice, and all would become harmonious. He also remembered people by name long after encounters with them.

On 16 November, 1979, he was requested to take the responsibility of the interim administration of the Diocese of Korsun (in connexion with the transfer of Bishop Peter (L’Huillier) of Korsun into the jurisdiction of The Orthodox Church in America).

In 1979, while he was in Paris, France, Vladyka Philaret visited Paul Poupard, the new Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Paris (later a cardinal), and Rector of the Paris Catholic Institute.

On 23 December, 1980, he was appointed to be a member of the “Commission of the Holy Synod for Organising the Celebration of the 1000th Anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’”.

On 14 April, 1981, by the decision of the Holy Synod of Bishops, Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was assigned to serve as the Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations (DECR), and also as a permanent member of the Holy Synod. From the words of others, this period of his service in the DECR was considered to be a “golden” period for the department (particularly because of the warmth of his personality and his care for people).

On 22 July, 1981, he was assigned to serve as the deputy chairman of the “Holy Synod Commission for the Preparation of the Celebration of the 1000th Anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’”.

From 24 July to 10 August, 1983, Metropolitan Philaret was a member of the delegation of the ROC at the Sixth Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Vancouver, British Columbia. He participated in services there, in the Holy Resurrection Russian Orthodox Church of the Archdiocese of Canada.

On 19 December, 1983, Vladyka Philaret was elected to be the chairman of the “Public Commission for Relations with Religious Circles”, which was advocating for peace.

On 1 February, 1984, he was released from the responsibility of Exarch of Western Europe, in accordance with the request.

On 19 April, 1985, Vladyka Philaret was entrusted with the care of parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Finland, as their administrator.

On 24 March, 1985, Vladyka Philaret was awarded a commemorative panagia with the image of the Zhirovichi Icon of the Mother of God.

Archbishop Sava, Metropolitan Vasily, Metropolitan Philaret in Poland

On 4 July, 1988, he was awarded a special panagia for his active participation in the preparation and completion of the celebrations dedicated to the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’.

In 1988, at the founding conference of the “World of Culture” Association of Creative Intelligentsia, Vladyka Philaret was elected to be its vice-president.

On 15 December, 1988, he entered the “Commission for the Election of People's Deputies of the USSR” from the “Movement for Peace” (united with the “Soviet Peace Committee”), and from the “Association of the United Nations” in the USSR.

On 16 October, 1989, as the collapse of the Soviet Union was imminent, Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was assigned by the Holy Synod to serve as the Exarch of the new country of Belarus, with the title “Metropolitan of Minsk and Grodno, Patriarchal Exarch of Belarus”.

On 13 November, 1989, by the decision of the Holy Synod of Bishops, Metropolitan Philaret was released, in accordance with the request, from his duties as the chairman of the DECR. However, he remained a permanent member of the Holy Synod. The matter would be addressed later at the Council of Bishops in 1990.

Independence of Belarus, 1990

In 1990, he was elected to be a member of the “Council of the Belarusian Branch of the International Fund of Slavic Writing and Slavic Cultures”, and the chairman of the “Commission of the Supreme Council of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR)” on matters of the ethics of parliamentary deputies.

As the Soviet Union was disintegrating, the parliament of the Soviet Republic of Byelorussia declared the sovereignty the republic, and the name was changed to Belarus on 27 July, 1990. Later, on 25 August, 1991, Belarus declared its independence. Seeing these developments approaching, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church prepared for the coming new circumstances for the Church in this newly-independent country.

Exarch of Belarus, Exarchate of Belarus, 1990

The main provision for this change was through the decree of the Council of Bishops on 30-31 January, 1990, in which Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was confirmed as Metropolitan of Minsk and Grodno, and Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus (Byelorus). This act provided the possibility for the healthy development of this exarchate under omophor of this wise bishop.

On 16 July, 1990, Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was assigned to serve as the chairman of the “Holy Synod Commission to promote Efforts to overcome the Consequences of the Chernobyl Disaster”.

From 1990 until 1995, he served as a member of the Supreme Council of Belarus, and as a member of the “Commission on Education, Culture and Preservation of Historical Heritage”.

From January to December, 1991, Metropolitan Philaret served as a “People’s Deputy of the USSR”.

European Humanities University, 1991, 1993

The idea of the establishment of the European Humanities University (EHU) in Belarus came into being at the meeting between Metropolitan Philaret and Professor Anatoli Mikhailov, which was held at the Metropolitan’s residence at the end of 1991.

On 1 October, 1993, the Department of Theology of the European Humanities University was opened in Minsk, and Metropolitan Philaret became its dean. On the initiative of Metropolitan Philaret, the Department became a platform for ecumenical dialogue. This sort of dialogue is important in Belarusian society, which consists of several other sorts of Christians, besides Orthodox Christians, and others as well. At the invitation of Metropolitan Philaret, the EHU was visited by Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger) of Moscow ; by Konrad Raiser, Secretary General of the World Council of Churches ; and by Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (of the Roman Catholic Church).

From 2004-2014, Metropolitan Philaret led the Institute of Theology. It was named after Saints Methodius and Cyril, and placed under the auspices of the Belarusian State University.

Metropolitan Philaret at the European Humanities University

Change of title, 1992

On 18 February, 1992, the title of Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was adjusted to become “Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, Archimandrite of Uspensky Zhirovitsky Monastery”.

On 28 December, 1993, Metropolitan Philaret was assigned to serve as the chairman of the Synodal Theological Commission, which was formed from the Commission for Christian Unity.

On 3 February, 1994, he was assigned to serve additionally as the Archimandrite of the Blagoveshchensky Lyadensky Monastery.

From 28 December, 1996, until 17 July, 1997, Metropolitan Philaret was given the responsibility of the temporary administration of the Polotsk Diocese.

Visit to Alberta, Canada, for centennial celebrations, 1997

On 27-28 July, 1997, Metropolitan Philaret participated in a general celebration of the 100th anniversary of the serving of the first Divine Liturgy in Canada (in 1897 by the Priest Dmitri Kamnev), which was hosted by the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in Canada, under Bishop Mark (Petrovtsiy).

On Sunday, 27 July, 1997, at Stary Wostok, Alberta, there was a celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Church, Stary Wostok, by Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) of Minsk (who represented Patriarch Aleksey II (Ridiger)) ; Archbishop Ireney (Seredniy) of Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine (who represented Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan), and who had previously served in Canada) ; Bishop Mark (Petrovtsiy) (who was then serving in Canada) ; and Bishop Seraphim (Storheim) of The Orthodox Church in America.

After the Divine Liturgy, there was a procession along the road to the site of the original service a century previous. There, a Moleben of Thanksgiving was served at the destination of the procession.

Centennial Hierarchical Divine Liturgy 27 July, 1997, Stary Wostok

On the following day, on the Feast of Saint Vladimir (OS), the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served at Saint Barbara's Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta, by all the bishops, and with the addition of Metropolitan Sotirios (Athanassoulas) of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Toronto (Canada). This was the fullest expression of Orthodox unity in Canada thus far in the concelebration of bishops and priests together. (This event was reported in the Winter 1997-1998 issue of the "Canadian Orthodox Messenger", pp. 5-6.)

Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, Saint Barbara's Cathedral, Edmonton, 28 July, 1997

Celebrants, from left to right : Bishop Mark ; Archbishop Ireney ; Metropolitan Philaret ; Metropolitan Sotirios ; Bishop Seraphim

From 28 February until 14 July, 2002, Metropolitan Philaret was given the responsibility of the temporary administration of the Mogilev (Mahilyow) Diocese.

In 2006, he was awarded the title “Hero of Belarus” by President Alexander Lukashenko “for his work to restore spiritual life amongst the Belarusian people”.

On 27 July, 2009, he was assigned to serve as a member of the “Inter-Council Presence” of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Metropolitan Philaret at the Table of Preparation

On 21 March, 2010, he was awarded the right to have the Processional Cross borne before him during Divine Services within the Belarusian Exarchate.

On 5-6 October, 2011, by the decision of the Holy Synod of Bishops (Journal no. 100), Metropolitan Philaret was released (on the basis of his own petition) from his responsibilities as the chairman of the Synodal Biblical and Theological Commission. The Synod decided to express deep gratitude to Metropolitan Philaret for his long and stable chairmanship of the Synodal Commission. The Holy Synod mentioned his chairmanship,

 thanks to which the inner-church and international theological discussion developed 
 at a high level.  A serious dialogue was organised between the Church scientific world 
 and the world of secular science.  Theological questions were able to be referred 
 to the commission by the hierarchy.

Vladyka Philaret meeting Pope Benedict XVI, 2011

Retirement, 2013

On 25 December, 2013, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church considered for the second time the petition by Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) to retire, since he had come to the age of 78, and since his health was weaker. By the decision of the Holy Synod of Bishops (Journal no. 125), Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was then given the blessing to retire from active service.

The Holy Synod gave Metropolitan Philaret the title of Honourary Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, and the bishops also enabled him to retain the right to participate in the work of the Holy Synod, and to be given an honourable place during Divine Services and official ceremonies.

The Holy Synod also decided that heartfelt gratitude be expressed to Metropolitan Philaret for his 35 year-long archpastoral care of Belarus. These years were marked by outstanding ecclesial developments :

 He had opened 10 dioceses, increased the number of parishes many times over, opened new monasteries and 
 theological schools, established good and constructive dialogue with the state authorities and public 
 organisations, maintained an adequate level of inter-confessional relations, and participated in the external 
 work of the Moscow Patriarchate.

When Vladyka Philaret came to retirement, President A G Lukashenko saw to the provision for Metropolitan Philaret of a suitable place of accommodation, and an adequate level of household and medical service.

Metropolitan Philaret, Metropolitan Tikhon (Mollard), OCA delegation and others

After that time, Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was living in a monastic community.

In 2013, when Metropolitan Paul (Ponomarev) was assigned to succeed Metropolitan Philaret, Metropolitan Paul asked to become a citizen of Belarus. This was granted by the government. However, Metropolitan Philaret was not required by Mr. A Lukashenko to do the same, particularly taking into account his long service in the country.

Metropolitan Philaret at the High Place during the Divine Liturgy

On 13 April, 2017, on Great Thursday, the day of the memory of the Last Supper, the esteemed Honourary Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, Metropolitan Philaret, served the Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great in the domestic chapel (named for the Synaxis of the Belarusian Saints) of the Minsk diocesan administration.

On 27 June, 2017, the meeting of the Synod of Bishops of the Belarusian Orthodox Church was held in the Minsk diocesan administration, with the participation of Metropolitan Philaret, the Honourary Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, and under the presidency of Metropolitan Paul of Minsk and Zaslavsk (Zaslaŭje), the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus.

Holy Synod of Bishops of the Belarusian Exarchate in 2017

Participants at the meeting were Archbishop Dimitriy (Drosdov) of Vitebsk (Vitsebsk) and Orsha ; Archbishop Stefan (Korzun) of Pinsk and Luninets ; Archbishop Artemi (Kishchenko) of Grodna and Volkov (Vawkavysk) ; Archbishop Gury (Apalko) of Novogrudok (Navahrudak) and Slonim ; Archbishop Theodosius (Bilchenko) of Polotsk and Glubokoye (Hlybokaye) ; Archbishop John (Khoma) of Brest (Bieraście) and Kobrin (Kobryn) ; Bishop Sophrony (Yushchuk) of Mogilev (Mailyow) and Mstislavl (Mstislaw) ; Bishop Stefan (Nescheret) of Gomel (Homiel) and Zhlobin ; Bishop Seraphim (Belonozhko) of Bobruisk (Babruysk) and Bykhov (Bykhaw) ; Bishop Leonid (Mitofanovich) of Turov (Turaŭ) and Mozyr (Mazyr) ; Bishop Veniamin (Tupeko) of Borisov (Barysaw) and Mar’ina Gorka (Maryina Horka) ; Bishop Paul (Timofeenkov) of Molodechno (Maladzyechna) and Stolbtsy (Stowbtsy) ; Bishop Antoniy (Doronin) of Slutsk (Sluck) and Soligorsk (Salihorsk) ; Bishop Porphyry (Prednyuk) of Lida and Smorgon’ (Smarhon’) ; Archimandrite Sergiy (Brich), manager of the affairs of the Minsk Exarchate.

The Holy Synod considered current matters of the life of the Belarusian Orthodox Church and the bishops made several resolutions. The journals of the meeting of the Holy Synod of the Belarusian Exarchate, in accordance with the Charter of the Russian Orthodox Church (Article 8, Chapter XII), were published after their confirmation by Patriarch Kirill (Gundyaev) of Moscow and All Russia.

On 12 July, 2017, Metropolitan Philaret, the Honourary Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, congratulated Metropolitan Paul (Ponomarev) of Minsk and Zaslavsk, the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, on his name-day. The archpastors exchanged greetings and prayers for good health and Grace-filled help from the Lord.

Metropolitan Paul and Metropolitan Philaret

The exceptional details of how Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was exceptionally treated and cared for in his retirement are all clear demonstrations of respect for a beloved father. Video presentations and articles about him after his retirement gave expression to this love, respect and gratitude in Christ for such a father in Christ.

When his retirement was granted, it is to be understood that the primary reason for this retirement was his failing health, and that his age was a secondary matter. Metropolitan Philaret served the Church with evangelical love, energy and zeal. In Christ, he was the catalyst for the remarkable growth and stability of the Belarusian Exarchate. Not only that, but also his fatherly presence, example and labour affected the whole country to a great extent, and this fact was obviously appreciated by the civil authorities.

This man had lived his whole life in joyful service of Christ. His life was in many ways similar to that of Patriarch Aleksey II, together with whom he had worked for a great many years. They each faced very many obstacles and troubles, but in the love and wisdom of Christ, they both led fruitfully the flock of rational sheep entrusted to them.

30th Anniversary of the Exarchate, 2019

On 29 September, 2019, Metropolitan Paul (Ponomarev) led the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in Minsk, which marked the Anniversary of the Exarchate. This Divine Liturgy was served in the open air, in the square in front of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Minsk. Although he was unable to be present personally, the words of Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) were read aloud to those present. On that occasion, Metropolitan Ilarion (Alfeyev) of the Department of External Relations of the Moscow Patriarch gave this brief overvew :

 Byelorussia was one of the Republics of the Soviet Union that suffered greatly under the pressure of 
 atheistic persecutions.  A goal was set to destroy religion completely in Byelorussia, to make it a fully 
 atheistic territory.  However, when Metropolitan Philaret was appointed to serve here, the situation began 
 to change.  Of course, it began to change especially after the Millennium of the Baptism of Russia and after 
 the establishment of the Exarchate, which gave an opportunity to take a fresh look at the religious situation 
 in Byelorussia.  That moment marked the beginning of true revival of Church life in the Byelorussian land.  
 From one diocese headed by one hierarch, the Belarusian Church grew into the Exarchate with its own Holy Synod, 
 the Exarchate which carries out missionary and charitable work, social projects and ministry among young people, 
 which actively interacts with secular authorities and promotes contacts with other Christian confessions.

By 2020, with the controversies and political instability that surrounded the August presidential elections, Metropolitan Paul (Ponomarev), his successor, faced particular difficulties, in part because he was not himself born a Belarusian. In August, he asked Patriarch Kirill (Gundyaev) of Moscow and the Holy Synod of Bishops and the Russian Orthodox Church for release from his responsibilities as the Exarch of Belarus. As a consequence, he was transferred to the Diocese of Krasnodar and Kuban (in Ukraine), and Bishop Benjamin (Tupeko) was elected and assigned to replace him as the Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavsk.

In addition to his already frail condition, on 16 December, 2020, Metropolitan Philaret was taken to a hospital in Minsk for treatment after he was diagnosed as suffering from the covid-19 virus.

Repose, 2021

On 12 January, 2021, Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) fell asleep in the Lord in Minsk. This was on the last day of the Post-feast of the Nativity of Christ.

On 13 January, 2021, Metropolitan Benjamin (Tupeko) of Minsk, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, assisted by many bishops and clergy, offered a Panikhida for Metropolitan Philaret in the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Minsk.

On 14 January, 2021 (the Feast-day of the Circumcision of the Lord and the Feast of Saint Basil the Great), Metropolitan Benjamin (Tupeko) led the Hierarchical Memorial Divine Liturgy and funeral for Metropolitan Philaret, the Patriarchal Exarch Emeritus, in the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Minsk. He was assisted by 13 hierarchs, including Metropolitan Avgustin (Markevich) of Belotserkov, Ukraine, and many clergy.

Metropolitan Philaret in repose

Bishops serving at the funeral

After the Memorial Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Benjamin (Tupeko) led the Funeral Service for the Burial of a Hierarch for Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) in the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Minsk. He was assisted by the same bishops and clergy.

Before the funeral service, Metropolitan Benjamin read aloud the condolences of Patriarch Kirill, and of President Alexander Lukashenko.

During the funeral service, the eulogy of the Belarusian Holy Synod was read out, which included the following :

 Our dear Abba, we are all your children in Christ.  Imitating the feat of the righteous Philaret the Merciful, 
 whose name was given to you in monastic vows, you have given us a vivid example of complete dedication to God. 
 'Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Your Name give glory' (Psalm 113:9) — you pronounced these words 
 of the Psalmist as your motto.  Indeed, you had no private life.  All that you did was to serve the one King 
 of kings and the Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15), inseparable from serving God’s beloved creation, mankind.

After the conclusion, Metropolitan Benjamin read the prayer of absolution, and the funeral service ended with the singing of “Memory Eternal”.

Afterwards, Metropolitan Avgustin (Markevich) of Bila Tserkva read aloud the condolences of Metropolitan Onufry (Berezovskiy) of Kiev and All Ukraine. Then, following the custom, his coffin was carried around Holy Spirit Cathedral. In accordance with the will of Metropolitan Philaret, during the procession the first Irmos of the Canon of Repentance of Saint Andrew of Crete was sung : “A helper and a protector, He has become my salvation. This is my God, I will glorify Him, my father’s God will I exalt, for gloriously has He been glorified”. Afterwards, his body was placed in the midst of the cathedral so that the Faithful could bid him farewell.

Procession around the Temple

After all the services were completed, the body of Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) was interred behind the Altar of the Holy Cross Temple at the Zhirovichi Holy Dormition Monastery, the monastery which had been renewed thanks to the efforts of Metropolitan Philaret during the difficult times of soviet rule.

A theological seminary and academy also were later opened in Zhirovichi, and the monastery eventually became a spiritual centre for the whole of Belarus.

— Bishop of Tikhvin 1965-1966.

— Vicar-Bishop of the Diocese of Leningrad Preceded by : Bishop Anthony (Demyansky). Succeeded by : Bishop Vladimir (Sabodan).

— Bishop of Dmitrov 1966-1971.

— Vicar-Bishop of the Diocese of Moscow. Preceded by : Bishop Filaret (Denysenko).

— Archbishop of Dmitrov 1971-1973. Succeeded by : Archbishop Volodymyr (Sabodan).

— Temporary Administrator of the Kalinin Diocese 1971-1972.

— Archbishop of Berlin and Central Europe 1973-1975. Preceded by : Archbishop Leontiy (Gudimov).

— Patriarchal Exarch of Central Europe 1973-1984. Preceded by : Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov). Succeeded by : Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan).

— Metropolitan of Berlin and Central Europe 1975-1984. Succeeded by : Metropolitan Melchizedek (Lebedev).

— Metropolitan of Minsk and Byelorussia 1978-1989.

— Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe 1978-1984.

— 4th Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate 1981-1989. Preceded by : Metropolitan Juvenaliy (Poyarkov). Succeeded by : Metropolitan Kirill (Gundyaev).

— Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Finland 1985-1989. Preceded by : Archbishop Kirill (Gundyaev). Succeeded by : Metropolitan Aleksey (Ridiger).

— Metropolitan of Minsk and Grodno 1989-1992. Preceded by : Metropolitan Antoniy (Melnikov). Succeeded by : See name changed.

— Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus (Byelorussia) 1989-2013. Preceded by : Title created. Succeeded by : Metropolitan Paul (Ponomarev).

, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus 1992-2013. Preceded by : See name created. Succeeded by : Metropolitan Paul (Ponomarev).

— Former Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk, Honourary Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus 2013-2021.

Reflections

Visiting with Mother Teresa

In a letter of condolence to the Church of Belarus, Patriarch Kirill (Gundyaev) of Moscow and All Russia noted that a thorough revival of Church life in Belarus took place precisely while Metropolitan Philaret was the Primate of the Belarusian Orthodox Church.

 With deep sorrow I received the news of the death of one of the outstanding hierarchs, the honourary 
 Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeev).  This is truly a great loss not 
 only for the believers of Belarus, but for our entire Church.

Patriarch Kirill emphasised that the years of archpastoral mission of Vladyka Philaret on the Belarusian land

 are marked by a comprehensive revival of Church life, the restoration and construction of new churches and 
 monasteries, and the development of spiritual education and educational activities.  
 
 While following the word of Scripture, in an effort to supervise the flock, not by compulsion, but willingly 
 and piously, and by not dominating the inheritance of God, but by setting an example (1 Peter 5:2-3), the 
 newly-departed hierarch testified to people with apostolic zeal about the beauty and truth of Orthodoxy, and 
 contributed to the creation of peace and civil harmony on the Belarusian land.

In addition, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church noted

 the significant contribution of the late Metropolitan Philaret to strengthening fraternal ties between Local 
 Orthodox Churches, and the development of interfaith dialogue.

The Patriarch pointed out in particular that, while serving in Europe, as chairman of the Department for External Church Relations, Vladyka Philaret

 diligently performed the service assigned to him and acquired sincere love and respect from many people 
 outside his country.

At the time of the funeral, during the procession around the Temple, a large flock of white birds was seen flying in circles above the Temple of the monastery, an unusual event which caught the attention of those present.

Metropolitan Philaret receives the Holy Mysteries at the Divine Liturgy

Vladimir Prokoptsov, General Director of the National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus, and "Honoured Artist of the Republic of Belarus" wrote the following reflection about Metropolitan Philaret, and the effects of his arrival in Belarus in 1989 :

The revival of historic dioceses began due to the influence of Metropolitan Philaret in Belarus. It happened
in Polotsk, Pinsk and Mogilev in October of 1989 ; in Gomel and Brest in January of 1990 ; in Novogrudok and
Grodno in October of 1991 ; in Turov and Vitebsk in May of 1992. The Belarusian Exarchate was established
in 1989. It brought all the eparchies together into a united administrative structure of the Church.

That year, the Women's Monastery of Saint Euphrosyne in Polotsk and the Women's Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos
in Grodno were given back to the Church. The Minsk Theological Seminary in Zhirovichi resumed
classes on 1 September, 1989.

The most important sign of the blossoming Church is the number of active Orthodox Temples and monasteries
in Belarus. Today, the Belarusian Exarchate numbers 1,582 places of worship, in which 1,655 priests provide
pastoral services. There are 32 monasteries, 54 sketes, 113 women's monasteries, 7 religious educational
institutions in the Belarusian Orthodox Church. The monasteries provide educational, charitable and
missionary activities.

A significant event in Belarus was the restration of the ancient relics, some spiritual symbols of White Russia,
such as the Cross of Saint Euphrosyne, the Abbess of Polotsk, and her silver shrine. The image of the Cross,
renewed by modern master Nikolai Kuzmich, was triumphantly brought to the Cathedral of the Saviour and Saint
Euphrosyne in Polotsk in 1997. The sanctification of the restored shrine, where her incorrupt relics repose,
took place on the Saint’s Memorial Day in 2007.

Some of the recent glorifications of saints became a welcome development in the lives of believers in Belarus.
They represent the vitality of the Church and an understanding of its historical past.

On 13 June, 2003, the 'Basic Agreement on Co-operation between the Republic of Belarus and the Belarusian Orthodox
Church' was signed. It laid the foundation for further co-operation between the Church and the state. Programmes
of co-operation of the Belarusian Orthodox Church with several government ministries were being realised :
the Ministry of Cultural Affairs ; the Education Ministry ; the Ministry of Information ; the Ministry of Labour and
Social Protection ; the Ministry of Internal Affairs ; the Ministry of Defence ; the Emergency Situations Ministry ;
the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection ; the Ministry of Sports and Tourism ; the
National Academy of Sciences of Belarus ; the Belarusian State University ; the State Committee of Border-Security Forces ;
the Committee on Problems of the Accident at Chernobyl NPP under the Council of Ministers ; the Committee on Aviation ;
the National State TV and Radio Company ; 6 regional executive committees ; the Minsk City Executive Committee.

The areas of co-operation between the state and the Church are in the spiritual, moral, patriotic raising and education
of children and youth, in peace-making, in works of mercy and charity, in concern for strengthening moral and physical
health, in support for the institution of the family, motherhood and childhood, in the protection, restoration and
enhancement of our historical and cultural heritage, in environmental conservation, in care of the military and the people
who are in places of deprivation of liberty.

The Web-site "Orthodox Christianity" published some spiritual instructions of Metropolitan Philaret on 29 January, 2021, which are reproduced here :

The main goal of man’s striving to find the meaning of his existence is to search for the truth of God, which gives meaning
to life for individuals and for mankind as a whole and the entire universe. Our concern is not to prove the modernity of
Orthodoxy, but that our life would always be correct, that is, Orthodox in the eyes of God.

The Church of Christ’s responsibility for creation is above all the inculcation of the responsibility of every man for the
contents of his own heart, for thoughts that work both for his destruction and his salvation proceed from it into the world.

The Lord raises you, and Holy Communion nurses you ; that is, it accompanies the Divine Mystery, facilitates its acceptance
by man, fills up earthly values with the Heavenly gift, and teaches it in perfect completeness.

When we, Christians, are able to say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ with evangelical firmness, we will triumph ; but if we tend to say ‘yes,
but [...]’ or ‘no, but [...]’ more often, then we will inevitably suffer defeat.

How should we live ?

We should live with a sense of responsibility before God for every one of our own actions — above all our own ! For every one
of our own words — above all our own !

God’s love for man is not limited by human divisions, of whatever nature they may be. And therefore, man’s love for God is
measured by his ability to show mercy, in the broadest sense of the word.

A man’s trust in God is a conscious necessity, within the framework of which he limits his personal freedom and trusts all
the circumstances of his life to Divine governance ; for none save the Lord can save man from non-existence unto eternal life.

Friendship is more than one form of affection, more than one type of love. Friendship is a state that was natural for
first-created man in his relation to everyone and everything before the Fall.

Man is a rational, free, personal being, capable of infinite perfection. The goal of this perfection is not to acquire
superpowers, but to achieve the inner integrity of the spirit, soul, and body, or chastity.

The conscience is immortal, like the soul. It can flare up within the heart of even the most impenitent sinner in the blink
of an eye, and in a matter of seconds can lead it to a degree of repentance that is given to another righteous man for a
lifetime of labour.

Man is greater than the world — if by ‘world’ we understand everything that is external to man.

The human never dies within a man, for the image of God within him is indestructible.

History is made by man, not impersonal laws.

It is vital for us to be able to pray to God and to be silent before God, to hear His word, which He may speak softly
so we would take pains to hear it.

The purpose of our life and our Faith is that they would be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Some of the international and interconfessional activities of Metropolitan Philaret :

 In the period from 1961-1965 (from the time of his ordination to the Holy Priesthood, until the time when he 
 was ordained to the Holy Episcopate), Metropolitan Philaret (Vakhromeyev) participated in the work of the 
 1st and 2nd All-Christian Peace Congresses, and the 3rd Pan-Orthodox Conference on Rhodes (Greece).  He was a 
 representative of the Moscow Patriarchate in the Inter-Orthodox Theological Commission for Dialogue with the 
 Old Catholic Church.  He served as secretary of the Commission for Christian Unity.  After the episcopal 
 ordination, he was active as follows :
 
 In 1967 (from 18 May to 2 June), he was with the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church in Cyprus.
 
 On 20 March, 1969, he was included in the Commission of the Holy Synod on the matters concerning Christian 
 unity, and he was appointed to be the representative of the Moscow Patriarchate in the reorganised 'Inter-
 Orthodox Theological Commission for Dialogue with the Old Catholic Church'.
 
 On 17 March, 1970, he was assigned to serve as the head of the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church for 
 interviewing theologians of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Finland. 
 
 From 2 to 16 February, 1972, with a group of priests, he made a pilgrimage through Italy. 
 
 From 11 to 13 December, 1972, he took part in the meeting of the International Secretariat of the KMK in 
 Einsiedeln (Switzerland).
 
 From 9 to 14 July, 1973, he took part in the meeting in Greece of the Inter-Orthodox Commission for Dialogue 
 with Old Catholics with the 'International Commission of the Utrecht Union on the Orthodox-Old Catholic 
 dialogue'.
 
 From 15 to 24 June, 1974, he led the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church at the celebrations of the 
 Patriarchate of Alexandria on the occasion of the 1600th anniversary of the repose of Saint Athanasius the
 Great.
 
 From 19 to 30 June, 1975, he was at the head of a group of pilgrims of the Russian Orthodox Church which made 
 a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
 
 From 22 to 27 June, 1978, he was a member of the delegation from the Russian Orthodox Church at the 
 Fifth Christian Peace Congress in Prague.
 
 From 20 to 24 August, 1979, he participated in the 3rd meeting of the Joint Theological Commission of the 
 Orthodox-Old Catholic Dialogue.
 
 From 9 to 12 October, 1979, he led the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church in the 7th Theological 
 Conference of representatives of the ROC and the Evangelical Church of Germany (FRG) in Odessa.
 
 From 9 to 24 November, 1979, he was in the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church which made a trip to 
 France at the invitation of the French Episcopal Conference.
 
 From 15 to 29 December, 1979, he visited the Western European Exarchate.
 
 On 22-23 May through 2-4 June, 1979, he was at the head of the pilgrimage group of the Moscow Patriarchate,
 which visited Italy.
 
 Soon afterwards, in 1979, on the occasion of the Feast-day of the Holy Trinity, he headed a pilgrimage group 
 of the Russian Orthodox Church on a trip to Jerusalem and the Holy Land. 

 From 28 June to 8 July, and from 17 to 24 September, 1979, he visited France. 
 
 From November 22 to December 10, 1979, he travelled to the Netherlands, Belgium and France for the Western 
 European Exarchate.
 
 From 10 to 15 April, 1981, Vladyka Philaret was in France.
 
 From 10 to 13 May, 1981, he led a delegation of the Moscow Patriarchate at the 4th Theological Conference with 
 representatives of the Union of Evangelical Churches in the German Democratic Republic (GDR).
 
 From 5 to 11 June, 1981, together with Patriarch Pimen (Izvekov), he participated in the celebration of the 
 1300th anniversary of the founding of the Bulgarian state.
 
 From 16 to 26 August, 1981, he was a participant in the 33rd meeting of the Central Committee of the WCC in 
 Dresden.
 
 From 31 August to 6 September, 1981, together with Patriarch Pimen, he visited Finland.
 
 On 1-2 October, 1981, he was a participant in the international interreligious peacemaking meeting in Moscow. 
 
 From 12 to 17 October, 1981, he participated in the theological dialogue between theologians of the Russian 
 Orthodox Church and the Evangelical Church in Germany, ‘Arnoldshain’. 
 
 From 11 to 14 December, 1981, he accompanied Patriarch Pimen (Izekov) on a trip to Czechoslovakia with regard 
 to the 30th anniversary of the autocephaly of the Czechoslovak Orthodox Church. 
 
 From 6 to 14 February, 1982, he was occupied with the affairs of the exarchate in France and the Netherlands. 
 
 On 12 March, 1982, he went to Czechoslovakia, where on 16 March, he was awarded a doctorate in theology from 
 the Theological Faculty of the University of Prešov.
 
 On 1-2 April, 1982, he led a dialogue between the Russian and Georgian Orthodox Churches.
 
 From 7 to 12 June, 1982, in Budapest, Hungary, he participated in the Consultative Meeting about the 
 preparation for the 4th Assembly of the WCC.
 
 From 21 to 29 June, 1982, he accompanied Patriarch Pimen on a trip to the USA for a special session of the 
 United Nations General Assembly. 
 
 From 19 to 28 July, 1982, he took part in the 34th meeting of the Central Committee of the WCC in Geneva.
 
 From 2 to 12 September, 1982, he was a participant of the Second All-Orthodox Pre-Council Meeting in Chambésy 
 (Switzerland).  
 
 On 15-16 September, 1982, he participated in the consultation of representatives of Christian Churches from 
 the USSR, dedicated to the 6th Assembly of the WCC.  
 
 On 18-19 December, 1982, he visited France.  
  
 From 10 to 17 February, 1983, he was in France, and from 17 to 23 February, in Switzerland.  
 
 From 20 to 24 April, 1983, in Uppsala, Sweden, he was a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church at the 
 World Christian Conference. 
 
 From 5 to 13 April, 1983, he was in the Holy Land with regard to the Russian Spiritual Mission.  
 
 From 28 May to 3 June, 1983, he accompanied Patriarch Pimen on his visit to the celebrations of the 
 Bulgarian Orthodox Church. 
 
 From 24 July to 10 August, 1983, he was a member of the delegation of the ROC at the 6th Assembly of the WCC 
 in Vancouver (Canada).  He was elected to the new membership of the Central Committee of the WCC.
 
 On 9 October, 1983, he participated in the celebrations of the Evangelical Church of Latvia. 
 
 From 11 to 17 October, 1983, he accompanied Patriarch Pimen on his visit to Romania.
 
 From 9 to 16 November, 1983, Metropolitan Philaret was in the GDR (East Germany), where, on 15 November, at 
 the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Divinity, 
 ‘honoris causa’. 
 
 On 19 December, 1983, he was appointed to serve as the chairman of the Public Commission of the Soviet Peace Committee.  
 
 From 14 to 17 January, 1984, he was in Geneva regarding the affairs of the exarchate.
 
 From 10 to 24 February, 1984, he travelled to Paris and to The Hague.
 
 On 14 March, 1984, in the Publishing Department of the Moscow Patriarchate, he participated in a press 
 conference organised by the Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the USSR.
 
 On 20 March, 1984, he took part in the work of the plenum of the Soviet Peace Committee. 
 
 On 23-24 June, 1984, he participated on behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church in the second information 
 meeting of representatives of anti-war organisations in Moscow.
 
 From 17 to 19 June, 1984, in Kiel (Germany) he was a participant in a scientific congress held by the 
 Evangelical Church in Germany (FRG) and the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of the Northern Elbe.
 
 From 9 to 18 July, 1984, he participated in the meeting of the Central Committee of the WCC in Geneva.
 
 From 18 to 24 August, 1984, at the invitation of Bishop Dr. Tibor Barty, he travelled to Hungary.
 
 From 29 September to 6 October, 1984, he accompanied Patriarch Pimen on his visit to the 
 Serbian Orthodox Church. 
 
 From 27 to 31 October, 1984, he accompanied Patriarch Pimen on his visit to Bulgaria. 
 
 From 13 to 16 November, 1984, in Zagorsk, he led the delegation of the ROC in the 5th Theological Dialogue 
 between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Union of Evangelical Churches of the GDR. 
 
 From 10 to 13 December, 1984, at the head of the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, he participated in 
 a regular meeting ('Karlovy Vary-VI') of the representatives of the churches of the Eastern European socialist countries 
 and the USA.
 
 On 23 January, 1985, he participated in the All-Union Conference of Peace Supporters in Moscow, and he was 
 elected to the membership of the Soviet Peace Committee.
 
 From 16 to 18 March, 1985, in Berlin (GDR), he took part in the meeting of the Presidium of the Central Board 
 of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
 
 On 5 June, 1985, he was elected to the Soviet Committee for European Security and Cooperation.
 
 On 14 June, 1985, in Prague, he received a doctorate in theology from the Slovak Theological Faculty.
 
 From 2 to 9 July, 1985, he served as a member of the delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church at the 
 6th All-Christian Peace Congress in Prague.
 
 From 14 to 18 July, 1985, he visited Jerusalem with regard to the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission there.  
 
 From 28 July to 8 August, 1985, he participated in Argentina in the 37th meeting of the Central Committee of 
 the WCC.
 
 From 17 to 22 August, 1985, he visited in Poland.
 
 From 2 to 6 November, 1985, he visited the Federal Republic of Germany.
 
 From 11 to 20 December, 1985, he visited in Finland.

Vladyka Philaret

Awards given to Metropolitan Philaret

Church :

• 1968 - Order of the Holy Sepulchre with a Particle of the Life-Creating Tree of the 2nd Century (Jerusalem Orthodox Church)

• 1969 - Order of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Saint Vladimir, 2nd class

• 1971 - Order of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Saint Vladimir, 1st class, 1982

• 1977 - The right to wear a second panagia

• 1982 - Order of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, 1st class

• 1985 - Order of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Saint Mary Magdalene 1st class (Polish Orthodox Church)

• 1985 - Order of the Holy Equals-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius, 1st class (Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia)

• 1985 - Commemorative panagia with the Image of the Theotokos of Zhirovits

• 1988 - Special panagia awarded for his work in the celebrations for the Millennium of the Baptism of Rus'

• 1990 - Order of the Holy, Right-believing Daniel of Moscow, 1st class

• 2003 - Order of Saint Andrei Rublev, 1st class

• 2003 - Order of the Holy, Venerable Nestor the Chronicler, 1st class (UOC)

• 2005 - Order of Saint Seraphim of Sarov, 1st class

• 2008 - Order of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark (Alexandrian Orthodox Church)

• 2009 - Order of Saint Innocent of Moscow, 1st class

• 2013 - right to be proceeded by the Processional Cross in liturgical processions

• 2013 - Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-called (UOC)

• 2015 - Order of Saint Alexis of Moscow, 1st class

• 2015 - Order of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Saint Vladimir, 1st class (UOC) [already mentioned above]

• 2016 - Medal of Saint Mark of Ephesus (ROC-DECR)

Secular :

Awards of the Republic of Belarus :

• 1995 - Medal of Francis Skaryna with the citation “for many years of fruitful activity to revive, preserve, develop the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Belarusian people”

• 1995 - Diploma of the Supreme Council of Belarus with the citation “for fruitful state and public activities for the revival, preservation and development of spiritual and cultural heritage”

• 1998 - Order of the Fatherland, 3rd class, with the citation “for a great personal contribution to the spiritual revival of the Belarusian people”

• 2000 - Honourary Diploma of the Council of Ministers of Belarus with the citation “for great service to strengthen friendship between nations, in honour of the celebration of the 2000th anniversary of Christianity and with regard to the 65th anniversary of the birth of the country”

• 2003 - Order of Francis Skaryna, with the citation “for his great contribution to spiritual revival, strengthening of friendship between peoples” (with regard to the 25th anniversary of his archpastoral ministry in Belarus)

• 2005 - Order of Friendship of Peoples, with the citation “for the great contribution to the strengthening of friendship and fraternal relations between peoples, the development of inter-confessional dialogue”

• 2006 - Hero of Belarus with the citation “for his many years of personal contribution to the spiritual revival of the Belarusian people, the strengthening of friendship and fraternal ties between peoples, the development of inter-confessional dialogue”

• 2008 - Order of Honour

Awards of the RSFSR and of the Russian Federation :

• 1988 - Honourary Diploma of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR, with the citation “for active peacekeeping activities and with regard to the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia”

• 2003 - Order of Merit for the Fatherland, 4th class, with the citation “for the great contribution to the revival of spiritual and moral traditions and the strengthening of friendship and cooperation between peoples”

• 2013 - Order of Alexander Nevsky

Awards of the USSR :

• 1971 - Honourary Diploma of the Soviet Peace Committee

• 1981 - Honourary Medal of the Soviet Peace Foundation, with the citation “for his services to the movement of supporters and fighters for peace, for a great personal contribution to the cause of strengthening peace between nations”

• 1982 - Honourary Sign of the Soviet Peace Fund

• 1985 - Honourary Medal of the Soviet Peace Committee, with the citation “The Fighter for Peace”

• 1985 - Honourary Diploma of the Belarusian Branch of the Soviet Peace Fund

• 1985 - Order of Friendship of Peoples

Awards of Poland :

• 1985 - Medal of HOA, with the citation “Blessed are the peacemakers”

• 1987 - Commander of the Order of Merit

• 1988 - Award of the “Pax” society named after Boleslaw Piasecki, with the citation “for active work in the field of ecumenicism and peacemaking”

The title of honourary citizen :

• 2003 - Honourary citizen of Minsk

• 2004 - Honourary citizen of the city of Polotsk

• 2013 - Honourary citizen of the Minsk region

Honourary degrees :

• 1970 - Honourary Member of the Leningrad Theological Academy

• 1974 - Honourary Member of the Moscow Theological Academy

• 1982 - Honourary Doctor of Divinity of the Prešov Orthodox Theological Faculty (Czechoslovakia)

• 1983 - Honourary Doctor of Theology at the Martin Luther Theological Faculty of the University of Halle-Wittenberg (Halle, GDR)

• 1985 - Honourary Doctor of Theology and the golden doctoral chain of the Slovak Evangelical Theological Faculty (Bratislava, Czechoslovakia)

• 1986 - Honourary Doctor of Theology of the Jan Amos Comenius Theological Faculty (Prague)

• 1993 - Honourary Doctor of the Belarusian State University

• 2001 - Honourary Doctor of the Grodno State Medical University

• 2002 - Honourary Doctor of Theology of the Saint Vladimir Theological Academy, and the Doctoral Cross (Crestwood, New York, USA)

• 2002 - Honourary Professor of the Vitebsk State University

• 2003 - Honourary Doctor of Theology at the Saint Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute (Paris)

• 2007 - Honourary Doctor of the Christian Theological Academy in Warsaw

Other awards :

• 1978 - Honourary Medal of the National Council of the National Front of the GDR

• 1985 - Gold Medal Otto Nuske (the highest award of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany)

• 1985 – [Sign] Badge of the Society of Polish-Soviet Friendship, “for Fraternal Aid and Cooperation”

• 1985 - Gold Medal of the Czechoslovak Society of International Relations, “for merits in the development of friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Czechoslovakia and the USSR”

• 2007 - Annual Prize of the Righteous Prince Constantine Ostrozky Foundation (Poland)

• 2013 - State Order of Ukraine “For Merit”, 3rd class

Writings, academic works, and other publications of Metropolitan Philaret

• “The Righteous shall be in Everlasting Memory, he will not be afraid of hearing Evil” (on the 100th anniversary of the birth and the 20th anniversary of the death of Patriarch Pimen) (2010)

• “Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow : Pastoral Counsels according to his Letters” (candidate thesis).

• ‘Solemn Meeting at the Moscow Theological Academy’ (celebration of the 50th anniversary of the episcopal ministry of Patriarch Alexy) in “Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate” (JMP), 1963. no. 6 (1963), pp. 18-20.

• ‘To the Right Reverend Chairman of the Publishing Department of the Moscow Patriarchate, Bishop Pitirim of Volokolamsk (congratulations on the 20th anniversary of the journal) in “JMP”, 1963. no. 9 (1963), pp. 7-8 (in collaboration with K. Ruzhitsky and Archpriest A. Ostapov).

• ‘The Attitude of the Russian Orthodox Church towards the Western non-Orthodox Churches’ in “Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate” (JMP), no. 11 (1963).

• ‘The End of the school Year in the theological Schools’ in “JMP”, no. 8 (1965).

• ‘Speech when naming Bishop Tikhvinsky’ in “JMP”, no. 12 (1965), pp. 10-12.

• ‘Visit in Moscow of the Delegation of the Constantinople Church’ in “JMP”, no. 5 (1966), pp. 12-17.

• ‘Speech of Welcome to the Participants of the Meetings of the Working Committee of the Christian Peace Conference at lunch on 3 July, 1967’ in “JMP”, no. 8 (1967), pp. 52-53.

• ‘Visit of Friendship’ (on a trip to the island of Cyprus in 1968) in “JMP”, no. 1 (1969), pp. 16-18.

• ‘Church-liturgical Veneration of the holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius in Russia’ (report read 8 May, 1969, in the Sofia Spirit of the Academy of Saint Clement of Ohrid) in “JMP”, no. 6 (1969), pp. 51-52 ; no. 7, pp. 41-46.

• ‘Moscow theological Schools under the Leadership of His Holiness Patriarch Alexei’ in “JMP”, no. 2 (1970), pp. 17-22.

• ‘Orthodox Lutheran Theological Interviews in Finland : Communiqué of theological Interview between Representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church, held in Turku at the Premises of the Sinappi Course Centre on March 19-22, 1970’ in “JMP”, no. 5 (1970), p. 67 (with Martti Simoyoki).

• ‘Orthodox Lutheran Theological Interviews in Finland : Summary of theological Interview’ in “JMP”, no. 5 (1970), pp. 68-69 (with Martti Shimoyuki).

• ‘Patriotic Image of His Holiness Patriarch Alexei’ in “JMP”, no. 4 (1971), pp. 66-69.

• Theological Basis of the peacemaking Activity of the Church’ in “Theological Works”, no. 7 (Moscow, 1971), pp. 215-221.

• ‘Orthodox Lutheran theological Interviews in Finland (communiqué ; summary) in “Theological Works”, no. 7 (1971), pp. 212-214 (with Martti Shimoyuki).

• ‘About the Filioque’ (for the discussion with the Old Catholic Church – the report was read at a meeting of the Inter-Orthodox Theological Commission for Dialogue with the Old Catholic Church, held in Bonn from 22 to 28 June, 1971) in “JMP”, no. 1 (1972), pp. 62-75.

• ‘Words at the Opening of the second theological Conference’ (on 12 December, 1971) in “JMP”, no. 2 (1972), pp. 53-55.

• ‘Words at the Graduation and Granting of Certificates in Moscow theological Schools’ (on 15 June, 1972) in “JMP”, no. 7 (1972), pp. 11-12.

• ‘Theological Basis of the peacekeeping Activity of the Church’ in “Theological Works”, coll. 7 (1971), pp. 215-221.

• ‘Easter Message (of the new Exarch in Western Europe)’ in “Bulletin of the Russian Western European Patriarchal Exarchate”, nos. 97-100 (Moscow, 1978), pp. 4-6, 66-68.

• ‘Message upon entering the temporary Administration of the Korsun Diocese’ in “Bulletin of the Russian Western European Patriarchate Exarchate”, nos. 101-104 (Moscow, 1979), pp. 4-5, 96-97.

• ‘Abstracts (VIII Theological Interview "Arnoldshain-VIII" between representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Evangelical Church of Germany (FRG), 10-13 October, 1979 in Odessa) and the reports "Humanity's Hope for the Future"’ in “JMP”, no. 3 (1980), p. 55 (with Archbishop Michael of Astrakhan and Enotaevsky and Jurgen Roloff).

• ‘To His Holiness Pope John Paul II (condolences in connection with the attempt on the life of Pope John Paul II)’ in “JMP”, no. 7 (1981), p. 2.

• ‘Speech at the Reception on the Occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch Pimen of Moscow and All Russia’ in “JMP”, no. 8 (1981), p. 9.

• ‘Interviews given to Archimandrite Jean (Renneteau), head of Orthodox programmes of French television station TF 1’ in “Bulletin of the Russian West European Patriarchal Exarchate”, nos. 105-108 (Moscow, 1981), pp. 11-14 & pp. 132-136.

• ‘Report at the International Interreligious Meeting in Moscow’ (on 1 October, 1981) in “JMP”, no. 12 (1981), pp. 36-44.

• ‘Speech at the 4th Meeting of the Mixed Theological Commission of the Orthodox-Catholic Dialogue’ in “JMP”, no. 12 (1981), p. 55.

• ‘A Word at the Presentation of the episcopal Staff to the Bishop of Dusseldorf Longin’ (on 11 October, 1981) in “JMP”, no. 1 (1982), p. 12.

• ‘Report at the IGC Meeting’ (on 26 January, 1982) in “JMP”, no. 3 (1982), p. 5.

• ‘Speech at the Opening of the World Conference “Religious Figures for Saving the sacred Gift of Life from a nuclear Catastrophe”’ in “JMP”, no. 6 (1982), p. 4.

• ‘Report at the Meeting of the Heads and Representatives of the Churches and religious Associations in the Soviet Union, dedicated to Summing up the Results of the Conference’ (Trinity-Sergius Lavra, 6 July, 1982) in “JMP”, no. 9 (1982), p. 38.

• ‘A Word at the Presentation of the episcopal Staff to Bishop Clement (Kapalin)’ in “JMP”, no. 10, 1982, p. 8.

• ‘Speech at the Opening of the World Conference’ in “JMP”, no. 11 (1982), p. 39.

• ‘Greetings to the Participants of the 6th General Conference of ABCM’ in “JMP”. no. 12 (1982), p. 99.

• ‘Telegram to the President and General Secretary of the NSCH in the USA (congratulations on the 30th anniversary of the NSCH)’ in “JMP”, no. 2 (1982) p. 51.

• ‘Speech at the Opening of the International round table Conference of religious Leaders and Experts on the economic and moral Consequences of the Freeze of nuclear Weapons, 7-9 March, 1983’ in “JMP”, no. 5 (1983), pp. 40-42.

• ‘Communiqué of the Interview of the Delegations of the Russian and Georgian Churches’ in “JMP”, no. 6 (1982), p. 66 (with Metropolitan Nicholas of Kutaisi and Gaenat).

• ‘Speech at the Delivery of the Order of Saint Prince Vladimir to the Herald of Goetting’ in “JMP”, no. 8 (1983), p. 11.

• ‘Speech at the Jubilee Ecumenical Assembly in Thomaskirche, Lepzig, on the Occasion of the 500th Anniversary of the Birth of Martin Luther’ (on 11 November, 1983) in “JMP”, no. 3 (1984), p. 59.

• ‘To the rector of the Sofia Theological Academy named after St. Kliment Ohridsky, Professor Archpriest Nikolai Shivarov : Congratulations on the 60th anniversary of the Sofia Theological Academy’ in “JMP”, no. 3 (1984), p. 55.

• ‘Speech at the Acceptance of the Doctorate of Theology Diploma “honoris causa”’ in “JMP”, no. 4 (1984), pp. 54-59.

• ‘Opening Remarks at the Opening of the “Round Table” Conference’ (on 2 April, 1984) in “JMP”, no. 6, 1984, p. 36.

• ‘To His Eminence Metropolitan Pavel Mar Gregory : Condolences on the tragic Death of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’ in “JMP”, no. 1 (1985), p. 11.

• ‘Telegram of Welcome to the Participants of the tenth theological Interview between representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Evangelical Church in Germany, Germany, "Arnoldshain-X"’ in “JMP”, no. 2 (1985), p. 59.

• ‘Interreligious peacekeeping Activity of the Russian Orthodox Church’ (Report at the Symposium of the College of Doctors of the Debrecen Reformed Academy on 22 August, 1984) in “JMP”, no. 3 (1985), p. 45.

• ‘Opening Address at the Opening of the Round Table Conference’ (on 11 February, 1985) in “JHMP”, no. 4 (1985), p. 37.

• ‘A Message greeting young Christians from the socialist Countries’ (who arrived at the meeting in Suzdal) in “JMP”, no. 8 (1985), p. 58.

• ‘Speech at the Dinner on the Occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the Birth of His Holiness Patriarch Pimen, 23 July, 1985’ in “JMP”, no. 11 (1985), pp. 24-25.

• ‘A Sermon in the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Geneva’ (on Sunday, 17 November, 1985) in “JHMP”, no. 2 (1986), p. 53.

• ‘Speech at the “Round Table” Meeting in the Soviet Committee of Solidarity of the Countries of Asia and Africa’ (on 9 October, 1985) in “JMP”, no. 5 (1986), p. 39.

• ‘Letter from the Heads of Delegations of Representatives of Churches from the USSR and the USA to Mikhail Sergeevich Gorbachev, General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee’ in “JMP”, no. 2 (1986) p. 7 (co-authored with Ari Brower).

• ‘Establishment of Christianity in Russia’ (speech at the presentation of the Doctor of Theology ‘Honoris Causa’ at the Evangelical Theological Faculty in Bratislava on 14 June, 1985) in “JMP”, no. 5 (1986), pp. 64-68 ; no. 6, pp. 65-69.

• ‘A Word at the solemn Act dedicated to the 40th Anniversary of the DECR’ (Moscow, 28 March, 1987) in “JMP”, no. 7 (1986), pp. 20-21.

• ‘A message to the Archbishop of Turku and Finland, Dr. Jon Wikstrem’ (and to the participants of the VII theological interview between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland in Mikkeli, Finland, 3-11, 1986), in “JMP”, no. 11 (1986), p. 62.

• ‘Speech on the television programme "Time"’ (September 1, 1986) in “JMP”, no. 12 (1986), p. 55.

• ‘Speech at the opening of the V International Conference : Roundtable of Theologians and Experts on the Topic "General Security and moral and ethical Values" in Moscow, 18-20 March, 1987’ in “JMP”, no. 6 (1987), pp. 29-32 & pp. 45-46.

• ‘Problems of the Formation of Russian national Identity in Connection with the Baptism of Rus’ in “JMP”, no. 8 (1987), pp. 70-72 ; no. 9, pp 67-71.

• ‘Speech at a Reception in honour of Participants and Guests at the II International Scientific Church Conference dedicated to the 1000th Anniversary of the Baptism of Rus’ in “JMP”, no. 8 (1987), pp. 20-21.

• ‘The Baptism of the holy Prince Vladimir and the Russian Land’ in “Theological Works”, no. 28 (Moscow, 1987), pp. 52-72.

• ‘The Establishment of Christianity in Russia’ in “Theological Works”, no. 28 (1987), p. 33-51.

• ‘Statement upon Arrival in the United States on 4 December, 1987 to support the Washington Summit’ in “JMP”, no. 3 (1988), pp. 3-4.

• ‘Joint Message from Church Leaders of the Soviet Union and the United States of America to US President Ronald Reagan and General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee Mikhail Gorbachev on the Occasion of their Washington Meeting’ in “JMP”, no. 3 (1988), pp. 4-5 (co-authored with Ari R. Brower).

• ‘Visit of Representatives of Churches and Bible Societies of the Nordic Countries’ in “JMP”, no. 4 (1989), pp. 47-49.

• ‘Opening Remarks before the Opening of the 40th Session of the Central Committee of the WCC, Moscow, 17 July, 1989’ in “JMP”, no. 12 (1989), pp. 58-59.

• ‘To Genrikh Aleksandrovich Borovik, Chairman of the Soviet Peace Committee : Congratulations on the 40th Anniversary of the Soviet Peace Committee’ in “JMP”, no. 1 (1990), p. 58.

• ‘Inter-Orthodox Relations and the ecumenical Movement at the present Stage’ in “JMP”, no. 2 (1990), p. 15-24.

• ‘Congratulations on the Day of the Namesake of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy, 25 February, 1993 : Official Chronicle’ in “JMP”, no. 3 (1993)(OH), p. 5.

• ‘Speech after the Liturgy in the Epiphany Cathedral’, 10 June : Congratulations from His Holiness Patriarch Alexy on the day of his Enthronement’ in “JMP”, Official Chronicle, nos. 1-3 (1994) (OX), p. 25.

• ‘In the innermost Patriarchal Silence [...]’ in “JMP”, (special number, 1995), p. 10-16.

• ‘Report at the Council of Bishops’ in “JMP”, no. 5 (1997), pp. 62-73.

• ‘In Unity is Strength : Interview with Metropolitan Philaret of Minsk and Slutsk, Exarch of All Belarus’ in “Orthodox Moscow”, nos. 16-18 (1998).

• ‘Assessment of the State and Prospects of the Development of modern Orthodox Theology’ in “JMP”, no. 4 (2000), pp. 82-96.

• ‘Assessment of the State and Prospects for the Development of modern Orthodox Theology at the Conference "Orthodox Theology on the Threshold of the Third Millennium" in Moscow, 7-9 Feb. 2000’ in “Church and Time”, no. 2 (11) (Moscow, 2000), pp. 15-39.

• ‘Christianity and Culture on the Threshold of the Third Millennium’ in “Historical Bulletin”, nos. 5-6 (09-10) (Moscow, 2000), pp. 29-36.

• ‘The Case of the conciliar common Church Reason’ in “JMP”, no. 3 (2001), pp. 64-71.

• ‘Opening Remarks at the Opening of the Theological and Philosophical Conference "The Most Holy Trinity"’ in “JMP”, no. 8 (2001), pp. 82-88.

• ‘Chairman of the Synodal Theological Commission : Opening Remarks at the Conference "The Teaching of the Church about Man"’ in “JMP”, no. 12 (2001), pp. 57-65.

• ‘The Family as a small Church in Service to God and People’ in “JMP”, no. 11 (2002), pp. 44-51.

• ‘Opening Remarks at the International Theological Conference of the Russian Orthodox Church : "Orthodox Doctrine of the Church" on 17 November, 2003’ in “JMP”, no. 11 (2003), pp. 54-59.

• ‘Vladimir Lossky – Theologian from God’ in “JMP”, no. 12 (2003), pp. 51-57.

• ‘Speech at the Meeting of the Editorial Board of the Collection "Theological Works" on 14 March, 2002’ in “Theological Works”, no. 38 (2003), pp. 5-7.

• ‘Priest Pavel Florensky’ in “Theological Works”, no. 41 (2007), pp. 423-426.