Today is the feast day of St. Josaphat. As an Orthodox bishop,
St. Josaphat dedicated his life to seeking reunion with Rome.Josaphat became a bishop at a young age and faced challenges early on. While he had success at first in persuading clergy to seek reunion with Rome, he was later met with persecution and accusation from other clergy members.
He was reviled so much that on a trip to Vitebsk, he was met with a mob who struck and shot him and threw him into a river. His body was later recovered and buried in St. Peter’s Basilica and was the first Eastern saint to be canonized by Rome.
Josaphat is the patron of the reunion of Eastern and Western Christians and ecumenical efforts.
St. Josaphat, pray for us!
