St Josaphat
1580-1623 ~ Josaphat is sometimes referred to as Iosaphat. Born John Kunservich in Vladimir, Poland, he had always been interested in the religious life since he was a young boy. He became an apprentice to a merchant and was offered a partnership in the business, but he turned it down. He was also given permission to marry the merchant’s daughter whom he also turned down as he decided he wanted to become a monk. With his friend Rutsky they joined the Ukrainian order of “St Basil and Holy Trinity”. He took the name Josaphat when ordained and he soon became famous for his preaching. Rutsky was made abbot of Holy Trinity and Josaphat was sent to Poland to found a new community. He came back in 1614 and took his friend’s place as abbot at Holy Trinity. Rutsky was then made Bishop of Kiev. Josaphat was later consecrated the bishop of Polotsk, but when he took up the office he found the diocese in a poor state. The clergy were lazy and there were no disciplines enforced. Priests were married and the churches were run down and in need of urgent repair.
Josaphat immediately called a synod to put his reforms into action. This proved successful at first, but a group of bishops disagreed with his suggestions and caused great problems for Josaphat. Riots broke out and he was accused of causing the troubles and for using force. A priest named Elias who personally annoyed Josaphat was put in prison by one of Josaphat’s deacons. This caused an outrage and a mob demanded the priest’s release. Josaphat did release him, but unfortunately in the affray, Josaphat was beaten, shot and died as a result of his injuries. His body was thrown into the River Divina at Vitebsk in Russia. He was canonised in 1867.