St. Josaphat is the saint we celebrate today. Perhaps this saint is not very well-known to us. Josaphat was a Basilian monk from the late 16th & early 17th centuries, who later was ordained a priest and became the Archbishop of Polotsk, a region in current day Belarus. Most of the monks in his area did not want to join in union with Rome, fearing interference in their liturgy and customs. However, by catechetical instruction, synods, reform of the clergy, and his personal example, Josaphat was successful in winning the greater part of the Orthodox faithful in that area to union with Rome. Due to fear of this union, Josaphat was struck down, shot, and his body was thrown into the river. His remains were recovered and are now buried in the Basilica of St Peter in Rome. Josaphat was the first saint of the Eastern Church to be canonized by Rome.
The first verse of our psalm today states: “Defend the lowly and the fatherless; render justice to the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the lowly and the poor; from the hand of the wicked deliver them.” It is sometimes hard to give thanks in the difficult circumstances we face in our lives. I think of the challenges and turmoil that Josaphat faced in his life, yet through his life and his actions, he served the Lord with joy, courage, and thanksgiving.It does not appear that Josaphat received justice through the circumstances of his life here on earth. It does not appear that the Lord physically delivered him from the hands of the wicked. The martyrs of the Church were willing to give up their lives for the faith. The Lord has a special love and mercy for the witness that they give us. We unite our prayers with the prayers of St Josaphat today.
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