Saint
Josaphat Kuncevyc (also known as John Kunsevich; Josaphat of Polotsk;
Jozofat Kuncewicz) was born in 1580 at Volodymyr, Lithuania as John
Kuncevyc. His father was a municipal counselor and his mother was
known for her piety. John was raised in the Orthodox Ruthenian
Church. On November 23, 1595, in the Union of Brest, the Ruthenian
Orthodox Church united with the Church of Rome. John trained as a
merchant's apprentice at Vilna, was offered partnership in the
business, and marriage to his partner's daughter. He felt a call to
the religious life, and declined both. He became a monk in the
Ukrainian Order of Saint Basil (Basilians) in Vilna at the age of 20
in 1604, taking the name brother Josaphat. He was a deacon and then
was ordained a Byzantine rite priest in 1609.
Josaphat's
superior never accepted unity with Rome, and looked for a way to
fight against Roman Catholicism and the Uniats, the name given to
those who brought about and accepted the union of the Churches.
Learning of his superior's work, and fearing the physical and
spiritual damage it could cause, Josaphat brought it to the attention
of his archbishop. The archbishop of Kiev removed the superior from
his post, replacing him with Josaphat.
Josaphat
was a famous preacher who worked to bring unity among the faithful,
and bring strayed Christians back to the Church. He was appointed
Bishop of Vitebsk in 1617. Most religious fearing interference with
the natively developed liturgy and customs, did not want union with
Rome. Josaphat believed unity to be in the best interests of the
Church. By his teaching, clerical reform, and personal example he won
the greater part of the Orthodox in Lithuania to the union. His
actions were never suitable to either side, and Roman authorities
sometimes raised objection to Josaphat's Orthodox actions. He was
still made Archbishop of Polotsk, Lithuania in 1618.
While
attending the Diet of Warsaw in 1620, a dissident group, supported by
Cossacks, set up an anti-Uniat bishop for each Uniat one. They spread
the accusation that Josaphat had "gone Latin," and that his
followers would be forced to do the same. Then they placed a usurper
on the archbishop's chair. Despite warnings, John went to Vitebsk to
try to correct the misunderstandings, and settle disturbances. The
army was loyal to the king, who was loyal to the Union, and so the
army tried to protect Josaphat and his clergy.
Saint
Josaphat went to Vitebsk, Belarus, where an anti-Uniat priest shouted
insults at Josaphat from his own courtyard, and tried to force his
way into the residence. When he was removed, a mob assembled and
forced his release. The mob then invaded the residence. Josaphat
tried to insure the safety of his servants before fleeing himself,
but did not get out in time.
Saint
Josaphat Kuncevyc died when he was struck in the head with an axe,
shot and beaten with staves on November 12, 1623 at Vitebsk, Belarus.
His body was thrown into the Dvina River but later recovered. He is
buried at Biala, Poland, and his body found incorrupt five years
after his death.
