Daily Saint

Five centuries before St. Josaphat’s birth, the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic churches had theological and other disagreements that divided the Church. The impact of that division would define St. Josaphat’s life and service to the Church.

St. Josaphat was born into a devout Eastern Orthodox Christian family that encouraged religious piety. His father was a businessman and served as the town councilor. He became a Byzantine-Ruthenian monk and was later named Archbishop of Polotsk.

St. Josaphat served as bishop during the Church’s Counter-Reformation, a period when some Eastern Orthodox Christians sought to reunite with Rome, while others opposed such a reunion.

He devoted himself to implementing reforms among the clergy, catechizing the laity, and finding common ground for reunification while preserving the Eastern liturgical tradition. While St. Josaphat’s piety encouraged many Eastern Orthodox Christians to reunite with the Pope in Rome, others criticized him and spread malicious rumors to turn people against him.

St. Josaphat’s virtuous life and spiritual care for God’s people won the trust of many Orthodox Christians, who were encouraged by St. Josaphat’s zeal for union with the Roman Catholic Church. But there was also controversy among those who feared Latin influence would undermine Orthodox tradition. In 1620, a rival archbishop was elected to oppose St. Josaphat’s authority.

One day, a hostile mob assaulted St. Josaphat as he celebrated Mass. When he tried to calm them down, he was fatally struck with an axe blow to the head. It was reported that before he died, he prayed for peace and forgiveness for his attackers.

His martyrdom became a powerful testimony to ecumenism and unity among Christians. He was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1867, becoming the first Eastern Church saint to be canonized by the Catholic Church.