Photo: Martin Vaniš, Radio Prague International
September 28 is St. Wenceslas Day, a state holiday marking the death of the nation’s patron saint. Many of the masses celebrated in his memory will take place in churches dedicated to St. Wenceslas.
Wenceslas was born near Prague in 907, a son of the Duke of Bohemia. His father died in 921 and Wenceslas ruled from 922, when he was just 15 years old. He was raised as a Christian, primarily thanks to his grandmother Ludmila, who was baptised by the Greek missionaries Cyril and Methodius who brought Christianity to the region.
The reign of Wenceslas was marked by his staunch support for the Catholic Church, his aim to unify Bohemia and make peace with Germany.
These policies created enemies within his court and even his family. His brother Boleslav was one of those who plotted against him. On the morning of September 28, 935, on his way to mass, Wenceslas was attacked and stabbed to death at the entrance to the church. It is not clear to this day whether Boleslav was the murderer or whether he let his supporters to do the deed.
See the rest here.
Author: Daniela Lazarová, Source:Český rozhlas