November 12 marks the memorial of St Josaphat, whose zeal for Christian Unity earned him the moniker Soul Snatcher, and his Pope Francis-Like concern for the poor led to his martyrdom and to the Charlie Kirk Effect. Or as Tertullian wrote: "We spring up in greater numbers the more we are mown down by you: the blood of the Christians is the seed of a new life."
Saint Josaphat Kuncevyc (c. 1580–1623) was a Ukrainian Greek Catholic monk, bishop, and martyr who dedicated his life to achieving reunion between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches.
Born as John Kuntsevych in Volodymyr, Volhynia (in modern-day Ukraine) to Orthodox Christian parents, he displayed deep piety from an early age. He was apprenticed to a merchant in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he became acquainted with figures who supported the 1596 Union of Brest, an agreement that brought a portion of the Ruthenian Church back into communion with Rome while preserving its Eastern rites and traditions. In 1604, he chose a religious life, joining the Basilian monastery in Vilnius and taking the name Josaphat. He became known for his extreme asceticism, prayerfulness, and intelligence.
After his ordination as a priest in 1609, Josaphat worked tirelessly to promote the union with Rome through preaching, teaching, and writing. In 1617, he was consecrated as the Bishop of Vitebsk and later became the Archbishop of Polotsk. As Archbishop, he initiated sweeping pastoral reforms, including holding synods, providing catechetical instruction for the people, and enforcing discipline among the clergy. He was a friend of the poor, at one point even pawning his episcopal vestments to help a needy widow.
His efforts were highly successful in winning many back to the Catholic faith, which earned him the nickname "the soul-snatcher" from his opponents. However, his strong advocacy for the union created significant tension with those who opposed Rome, leading to the appointment of a rival Orthodox bishop and civil disturbances.
Despite warnings, Josaphat traveled to Vitebsk, a center of the opposition, in November 1623 to address the unrest. On November 12, an angry mob, incited by his adversaries, broke into his residence. Josaphat went out to meet them, pleading for the safety of his servants, and was brutally attacked with a halberd (axe) and shot. His body was then dragged through the streets and thrown into the Dvina River.
His death had an impact opposite to what his murderers intended; public opinion shifted, leading many to convert to Catholicism. His body was later recovered and found to be incorrupt. Saint Josaphat was beatified in 1643 and canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1867, becoming the first saint of the Eastern Church to be formally canonized by Rome. His relics are now buried in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, and he is honored as the patron saint of Ukraine and a martyr for Christian unity.
Prayers to Saint Josaphat
O St. Josaphat, God drew you to Himself from an early age, and you responded to His grace. As you grew in faith, God also drew you to the mission of Church unity.
Please pray for me, and pray for our Church and world, that all will become one in Christ and that I will do my part to help bring that unity about"
"Lord, filled with your Holy Spirit Saint Josaphat laid down his life for his flock. Renew that Spirit in your Church, strengthen our hearts with your grace, so that, with the help of his prayers, we may be ready to lay down our lives for our brethren. Amen"
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