Saint Josaphat Koncévitch

-------------------------------------------------------- Holy Josaphat - (1584 - 1623) - Martyr - First Eastern saint canonized by Rome.

Its life

Josaphat, (Jean Koncévitch) was born in Volhynie, in Ukraine, 1584. It was still very young at the time of the Union of Brest in 1596 where part of the Church of Ukraine is attached to Rome and constitutes the Church gréco-catholic or Eglise ruthene.

At twenty years, it enters to the monastery of the Holy Trinity (order Basilien) to Vilnius, which was in the kingdom polono-Lithuanian.

See also: History of Bielorussia

It was 30 years old when it became one of the superiors about it. Consequently, deeply torn by the separation of the roman catholics and orthodoxe, he will fight with as much softness than of obstinacy for the restoration of the unit of the churches.

In 1617 it is named bishop of Polatsk. This area was in prey with antagonisms, as well political as religious. Whereas it paid a pastoral visit with Vitebsk, it faced a riot carried out by integrist orthodoxe. It went to the front of its attackers in their saying: “ If you want some with my person, me here. ”.

It then is lynched and thrown in the river, because of its attachment to the Roman Church. It was in the morning of November 12th 1623.

Its relics are in the Basilique Saint-Pierre with the the Vatican.

Beatification - Canonization

  • It was canonized in 1876 in Rome by the Pope Pie IX. Saint Josaphat is the first Eastern saint canonized by Rome.

Celebrates

November 12th (autrefois on November 14th )

Patronage

Saint Josaphat is owner of the Ukraine.

External bonds

  • ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' : St Josaphat Kuncevyc
  • Extracts from the encyclical letter “Ecclesiam Dei” of S.S. Pie XI (November 12th, 1923), at the time of the third centenary of died of Josaphat saint.

Be-X-old: ЯзафатКунцэвіч

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