Within the hallowed walls of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican lie the remains of two Polish saints. Pilgrims from Poland frequently visit the tomb of St. John Paul II, the beloved Polish pope. However, many remain unaware that this sacred space also holds the relics of another revered Polish saint—St. Josaphat Kuntsevych, a Greek Catholic bishop and martyr.
While thousands pray daily at the tomb of John Paul II, few venture to the nearby glass coffin that contains the incorrupt body of St. Josaphat. To find it, one must walk along the right nave of the basilica, past John Paul II’s resting place, to the pillar holding the tomb of St. John XXIII. From there, a short detour leads to the Chapel of St. Basil, where St. Josaphat’s remains are interred.
A Patron of Reconciliation
St. Josaphat’s legacy is undergoing a renaissance. Known as a patron of reconciliation—between families, spouses, neighbors, and even nations—his intercession has inspired numerous accounts of healing and unity. Testimonies abound of siblings, spouses, and estranged relatives reconciling after years of discord, attributing these miracles to his prayers.
A Life Dedicated to Church Unity
Born in 1580 in Volodymyr, in modern-day Ukraine, Josaphat—then named Ivan Kuntsevych —grew up in a devout family. His parents, Havrylo and Maryna Kuntsevych, were members of the Polish nobility and bore the Rose coat of arms. In his teens, Iwan was sent to Vilnius, a multicultural hub, to train as a merchant. His deeply religious nature drew him to the theological circles discussing the 1596 Union of Brest, a pivotal agreement uniting the Eastern and Western Churches in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Captivated by the idea of Church unity, Iwan joined the Basilian order, taking the monastic name Josaphat. Ordained as a priest and later Archbishop of Polotsk, he became a fervent advocate for the union of the Eastern and Western Churches. His mission provoked fierce opposition, and in 1623, an enraged mob attacked him during a pastoral visit to Vitebsk. He was struck with an axe and beaten to death before his body was thrown into the Dvina River. Miraculously, when recovered six days later, his body showed no signs of decay—a testament to his sanctity.
The First Greek Catholic Saint Canonized at the Vatican
St. Josaphat’s martyrdom and the miracles attributed to his intercession led to his beatification by Pope Urban VIII in 1643, just 20 years after his death. In 1867, Pope Pius IX canonized him, making Josaphat the first saint from the Greek Catholic Church.
After World War I, Josaphat’s body was transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Today, Ukrainian pilgrims, who venerate him as their national saint, frequently visit his tomb. His cult has also gained traction in Poland, especially in Biała Podlaska, where major celebrations marked the 400th anniversary of his martyrdom in 2023. The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Biała Podlaska, which houses his relics, is poised to become a sanctuary dedicated to St. Josaphat. Pilgrims leave written testimonies of miracles—healings, reconciliations, and other graces—granted through his intercession.
Miracles Through Josaphat’s Intercession
Fr. Marian Daniluk, pastor of the Nativity Church in Biała Podlaska, recounts remarkable stories of Josaphat’s intercession. One woman reconciled with her sister after 14 years of estrangement following prayers to the saint. Another pilgrim, an art historian from northern Poland, found her missing son after a year-long separation. There are also accounts of physical healings.
When visiting St. Peter’s Basilica, make time to honor this extraordinary saint of the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth—a martyr for Church unity whose intercession continues to inspire faith and healing across the globe.
Family News Service