St. Josaphat

Biography

St. Josaphat Kuntsevych (c. 1580–1623) was born Ivan Kuntsevych in Volodymyr, in Volhynia, in present-day Ukraine, then part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. He grew up in the Byzantine tradition and was apprenticed to a merchant in Vilnius. In 1596 the Union of Brest had brought many Ruthenian Orthodox bishops into communion with Rome while keeping their Eastern liturgy and customs, but the union was fiercely contested. In 1604 Ivan entered the Basilian monastery of the Holy Trinity in Vilnius, taking the name Josaphat. Ordained a priest in 1609, he became known for his preaching, his asceticism, and his care for the Eastern liturgy, and he helped renew the monastic life of his community. In 1617 he was consecrated bishop and soon became archbishop of Polotsk. He worked to reform the clergy, restore churches, teach the catechism, and serve the poor, and he tirelessly promoted unity with Rome. His efforts met bitter opposition, and passions on both sides ran high. On November 12, 1623, a mob attacked him in Vitebsk and killed him. His death moved many, including some of his opponents, to embrace the union. He was beatified in 1643 and canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1867. His relics rest in St. Peter's Basilica. He is honored especially by Ukrainian and other Eastern Catholics.

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