The Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk, the Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus

Member of The Holy Synod (supreme legislative, executive and judicial power, total of 6 members).

Born in May 21, 1935 in Moscow, in the family of clerical workers. In 1953 graduated from secondary school and simultaneously from musical school (choir and contrabass classes).

In 1957 graduated from the Moscow Seminary and attended the Moscow Theological Academy. In April 1959 (second course of the Academy) he was professed and ordained to Hierodeacon by Alexiy (Simanskiy), The Holy Patriarch of Moscow.

In 1961 graduated from the Moscow Theological Academy with a with a doctorate in theology. Proceeded as professorial grant-holder in the Moscow Theological Academy. In November 1961 he was appointed a lecturer in the Moscow Theological Academy, and then ordained to Hieromonch by The Holy Patriarch Alexiy I.

In august 1961 he was exalted to Hegumen by Biship Pitirim of Volokolamsk with laying on the cross with decorations and epogination, in October exalted to Archimandrite by The Holy Patriarch Alexiy I.

Since the opening of postgraduate course in the Moscow Theological Academy in 1963 Filaret became its head.

In October 1965 exalted to Bishop of Tikhvinsk, Vicar of Leningrad Eparchy. In May appointed a Bishop of Dmitrovsk, Vicar of Moscow Eparchy and Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy.

In November 8, 1968 he was appointed a Second Deputy Head of the Department for External Church Affairs.

In September 9, 1970 exalted to Archbishop.

In April 1973 appointed as an Archbishop of Berlin and Middle Europe, Patriarchal Exarch of Middle Europe.

In April 1975 exalted to Metropolitan.

In September 1978 appointed as a Metropolitan of Minsk and Belarus, since October 12 - Patriarchal Exarch of Middle Europe.

In 1981 - 1989 - Chairman of the Department for External Church Affairs and Permanent Member of the Holy Synod.

By the Decision of the Holy Synod dated October 16, 1989 appointed a Metropolitan of Minsk and Grodnensk, Exarch of Belarus with a title of Metropolitan of Minsk and Grodnensk, Patriarchal Exarch of Belarus.

By he Decision of the Bishop's Council of Russian Orthodox Church dated January 30-31, 1990 he was appointed a Metropolitan of Minsk and Grodnensk, Patriarchal Exarch of all Belarus.

Filaret is a Chairman of the Synodal Theological Committee.

In 1990-1995 he was a Deputy of Belarus Supreme Council, member of the Committee for Education, Culture and Preservation of Historical Heritage.

Participated in the 1^st and 2^nd Christian Peace Congresses and 3^rd Orthodox Session (Rhodes, Greece), represented Moscow Patriarchate in the Theological Committee for Dialogue with Old Catholic Church, was a Secretary of the Committee for Christian Unity.

His works and publications include "The Pastoral follow-up of Filaret, Metropolitan of Moscow, as per his letters" (candidate's composition), "Relation of Russian Orthodox Church to Western Heterodox Churches", "About Filioque" (for the discussion with Old Catholic Church), "Interreligion Peacekeeping of Russian Orthodox Church" and many others.

Awarded with the Order of Saint Knyazh Vladimir of I and II Degree, the Order of Reverned Sergiy Radonezhskiy of I Degree, the Order of Reverend Andrey Rublev of I Degree, Orders and Medals of other Orthodox Churches, as well as Laic Awards - the Order of the People's Friendship, the Order "For Service to the Motherland" of IV Degree, Belarusn Order of F.Skorina, Orders and Medals of other states.