Biography
St. Josaphat was born in the Ukraine and served an apprenticeship to a merchant in Vilnius, Lithuania. In 1604, he became a monk at Vilna. This was nine years after the union of Brest that brought millions of Ruthenian Christians into communion with the Bishop of Rome. Josaphat was ordained a priest and became known as a preacher and supporter of this Church unity. In 1617, he was consecrated Bishop of Vitebsk. His efforts were focused on bringing order to his tumultuous diocese and preserving the newly achieved union. An opponent to this union murdered him in 1623. He was canonized in 1867. [1][2][3] Written by Sarah Ciotti Reviewed by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD [1] Catholicpedia: The Original Catholic Encyclopedia (1917) for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. s.v. “St. Josaphat Kuncevyc.” [2] Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, The Martyrology of the Monastery of the Ascension, 2008. [3] F.L. Cross and E.A. Livingstone, The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (London: Oxford University Press, 1974), 757. Thank you for praying with us. If you feel called, your Lenten offering helps carry this prayer to more hearts and languages. Contribute now