Josaphat & Charles Simeon

Ironical today marks the feast days of two  men who suffered greatly while working toward understanding  and tolerance in the family of Christ.

Josaphat (1580-1623)

An orthodox monk who believed the schism between the eastern and western church should be bridged. After his ordination he became eloquent on the issue. Once elected archbishop he focused on clerical and lay reform. Fear of Rome lead a group of bishops to oppose him, stirring up controversy. As an act of conciliation he visited the churches that opposed him. It was while preaching at one of these that an angry mob grabbed him, smashed his skull and threw his body in o the river. he was canonized in1876 as a martyr for Christian unity

 Charles Simeon (1759-1836)

His professional adult life was spent  serving as a chaplain at Cambridge University. Through out he remained deeply rooted in both the Anglican church and in the evangelical experience he had as an undergraduate.

He suffered greatly even physically at the hands of both the high church and the evangelicals. Ironically he garnered the love of those who were seekers.