Martyr for Christian unity between East and West.
Saint Josaphat Kuntsevych, martyr for Christian unity between East and West.
In the rolling lands of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania’s Ruthenian regions, around the year 1580, a boy was born into a devout Christian family in what is now western Ukraine (then part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth). He was named Ivan Kunchych (sometimes “Kuncevych” in transliteration). (Wikipedia) From his youth he showed a hunger for God’s presence: tradition says that during a visit to church, while looking at the Crucifix, he felt “a spark of fire” leave the side of our Lord and enter his heart. (The Writings of Cora Evans)
Rejecting the comfortable pursuits of his peers, in his early‑twenties he entered the Order of Saint Basil the Great (Basilian monks) at the Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Vilnius, where he took the name Josaphat. (FaithND) He sought the austere life of prayer and service: fasting, prostrations, vigils, praying for unity, for souls. According to his biographers, he would murmuring the Jesus Prayer even during sleep. (Wikipedia)
Eventually, his zeal and integrity led him to higher responsibility. In 1618 he was appointed Archbishop (Archeparch) of Polotsk (in modern Belarus) under the Eastern‑Catholic (“Uniate”) jurisdiction: that is, Orthodox‑ritual Christians in union with Rome. (Wikipedia) In that region, tensions were high: many monks and faithful were uneasy about the union of the Ruthenian Church with Rome (the Union of Brest, 1596) while others saw in it a renewal of ancient Christian life. (Franciscan Media)
Saint Josaphat threw himself into the tasks of reform: catechesis, synods, renewal of clergy, strong liturgical life, seeking to bring along those who had stayed separated. But opposition grew, accusations flew (“he’s going Latin”, his opponents said). (Franciscan Media)
In November 1623, while on a pastoral visit to Vitebsk, a hotbed of conflict, the tension erupted into violence. A priest opposed to him was released, a mob gathered, and Saint Josaphat was struck with a halberd, then his body was thrown into the river. His death is recorded as 12 November 1623. (Franciscan Media)
His legacy
- He is honoured as a martyr for Christian unity between East and West. (My Catholic Life!)
- He was canonised by Pope Pius IX on 29 June 1867. (Wikipedia)
- He became a symbol in the Ukrainian‑Greek‑Catholic tradition, and beyond, of fidelity, reconciliation, courage. (Wikipedia)
- He is often invoked for (and stands as an example of) the hope of unity among Christian churches. (My Catholic Life!)
Reflection in Slavic spirit
In the Slavic lands, one might imagine this story told around the hearth: a young Ivan listening to the rustle of birch trees, feeling in the quiet of prayer a fire kindled within. Later, as Josaphat, he rises in the monastic cell, the candle’s flame flickering in the early morning, his prostrations echoing in the frosty dawn. He walks among the faithful in Polotsk and Vitebsk, his heart heavy with both mercy and the burden of division. And at last, the river bears witness: his blood becomes seed. In Slavic hymn‑tone, they sing: “He gave his life for unity; may his prayer unite us still.”
Why his story still matters
- Because he lived in the borderlands of culture, rite and empire — and reminds us that faith often grows in such crossroads.
- Because his martyrdom challenges us: unity is costly, reconciliation is not easy, but the sacrifice bears fruit.
- Because in our time of divisions — among nations, among traditions, among Christians and even within churches — his example whispers: let hope prevail.
Let me share some old Slavic hymns or icons associated with Saint Josaphat, and suggest a short prayer in his honour.
Here are icons and hymnic‑materials associated with Saint Josaphat, with some guidance on how you might use them in prayer or reflection.
🎨 Icons & Visuals
Iconography plays a rich role in the Slavic/Eastern‑Catholic tradition of venerating saints. For Saint Josaphat:
- He is commonly depicted in episcopal vestments (phelonion/omophorion) as a bishop, even though his monastic ascetic background remains central. (Icons)
- Traditional attributes include: a bishop’s crozier or staff, a Gospel book, a martyr’s palm‑branch or axe (symbolising his martyrdom). (Icons)
- In some icons he appears with angels above him placing a martyr’s crown. (Icons)
How to use them
- Print or display an icon (if you have space) as a focus for your prayer or meditation.
- In front of the icon, you might read a short passage from his life and then pause for silent reflection.
- You could trace your finger over the halo or axe‑symbol as a tactile anchor: “May his courage enter my heart, as it entered his.”
🎶 Hymns & Liturgical Texts
While there is no widely‑circulated complete Slavic hymn text exclusively dedicated to Saint Josaphat that I found in the public domain, here are what I did locate, and how to access/use them:
- There is mention of an Akathist Hymn (“akafist”) dedicated to Saint Josaphat. One forum notes: “The very anti‑Orthodox akathist to St. Josaphat used by the Basilians has … been toned down in a recent republication.” (byzcath.org)
- There is a Prayer to Saint Josaphat (in English) which can function similarly to a hymn or devotional text:
“O Saint Josaphat, wonderful Saint and heroic martyr for the union of our Church … Thou art a sublime example of all virtues for the people of whom thou wert a son. … May the day come soon in which all thy Brethren will assemble …” (Holy Unia) - For the liturgical context: the genre of “kontakion”, “akathist” etc is well‑established in Slavic/Byzantine hymnography. (Wikipedia)
How to use a hymn/prayer
- You might print the prayer and read it slowly while looking at the icon.
- If you can find the akathist text (you may need to check Eastern Catholic liturgical books or university libraries), you could:
- Read it one stanza at a time, pausing after each for reflection.
- Use it in a small prayer vigil: e.g., after “Vespers” or “Compline”.
- Even without the full hymn, you may adapt the prayer into a short chant‑style repetition: pick one line (“May the day come soon in which all thy brethren will assemble …”) and repeat it 3‑5 times slowly.
🔍 Practical Suggestions
- If you speak Ukrainian, Church‑Slavonic or Polish, you might search for: “Akafist св. Йосафату Кунцевичу” or “Акафіст святому Йосафату Кунцевичу”.
- When using the icon, you might reflect on these questions:
- “What in my life cries out for unity or reconciliation, as Saint Josaphat’s did?”
- “How can I mirror his courage and fidelity in my own situation?”
- You could create a small home‑altar corner: icon of Saint Josaphat + a lit candle + a printed short prayer + maybe a small palm or symbol of his martyrdom (axe or palm).
- If you belong to or visit an Eastern‑Catholic parish (Ukrainian Greek Catholic, Ruthenian etc.), you may ask about whether this saint’s akathist is sung on his feast (12 November) and see if you can join or obtain a copy.
Here are two resources I found for liturgical‑texts associated with Saint Josaphat Kuntsevych:
- Ukrainian (Church‑Slavonic) Akathist – “Акафіст до святого священномученика Йосафата…” — available to read online. (molytva.at.ua)
- Example excerpt: “Радуйся, Йосафате, Богові співаючий… Радуйся, Йосафате, Бога славлячий…”(molytva.at.ua)
- You could print or save the full text from the site.
- English Prayer to Saint Josaphat – A shorter devotional prayer in English. (Holy Unia)
- Example: “O Saint Josaphat, wonderful Saint and heroic martyr for the union of our Church …” (Holy Unia)
Here is a short prayer in honor of Saint Josaphat Kuntsevych, written in a Slavic‑inspired devotional tone … simple, rhythmic, and suitable for private or communal prayer:
🕯️ Prayer to Saint Josaphat for Unity and Courage
O holy Josaphat, shepherd of souls and martyr for the peace of the Church,
you walked the path of Christ through storm and sorrow,
bearing the cross of division upon your shoulders.
From the quiet of your monastic cell to the tumult of the city,
your heart remained steadfast … aflame with love for God and for all His children.
Intercede for us now,
that our hearts may be healed of pride and fear;
that East and West, old and new, may be bound again in love;
that courage may rise within us to seek what unites, not what divides.
O blessed martyr of Polotsk,
pray that our faith may be firm,
our charity unbroken,
our hope unshaken,
until all are one in Christ.
Amen.
