King Wenceslas is the patron saint and symbol of the Czech state. He was the reigning prince of Bohemia, posthumously declared king. Almost immediately after his death, Wenceslas was considered a martyr and saint. The cult of his veneration flourished in Europe in the second half of the 11th century and even spread to the Russian lands. The prince founded the church, which later became the main spiritual and cultural-historical shrine of the Czech Republic - the Cathedral of St. Vitus. The remains of King Wenceslas are kept in it, and the temple is the main place of pilgrimage in the Czech Republic. The memory of the holy ruler lives in numerous legends, songs, works of ecclesiastical and secular art. Temples in his honor were erected on Czech soil and in other states.
Church worship
King Wenceslas became the only Czech saint whose day of veneration was included in the world calendar of the RomanCatholic Church and is celebrated on September 28. The Martyr Prince is one of the most popular historical and religious figures in the Czech Republic. On this day, the inhabitants of the country make celebrations and pilgrimages to Stary Boleslav. Since 2000, Saint Wenceslas Day has been considered a public holiday in the Czech Republic and is celebrated as the Day of Czech Statehood. In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI took an active part in the church celebrations on September 28. The fourth of March is the day of the Transfer of the Relics of King Wenceslas, which took place in 938. The saint is venerated by both Catholics and Orthodox.
Historical, cultural, political significance
After the death of Wenceslas, four versions of his "life" were distributed in the countries of medieval Europe. During the High Middle Ages, these hagiographic works had a powerful influence on the formation of the concept of rex justus (righteous king), that is, a monarch whose power stemmed mainly from his great piety, as well as princely power.
Although Wenceslas was only a prince of Bohemia during his lifetime, Holy Roman Emperor Otto I posthumously conferred on him the royal dignity and title, which is why he is called king in legends and songs.
The hymn "Saint Wenceslas…" is one of the oldest Czech songs. It has been known since the 12th century and is still one of the most popular religious chants. In 1918, at the founding of the modern Czechoslovak state, the chorale was discussed as a possible choice for the national anthem. During the NaziDuring the occupation, the Czechs often performed it along with the national anthem. Why is the image of St. Wenceslas so significant in the history of Christianity and the Czech state?
Youth prince
Vaclav belonged to the Přemyslid family, the first Czech dynasty of princes and kings. Under its control was Bohemia, Moravia, some territories of Hungary, Austria, Poland, including Silesia. The dynasty existed from about 870 to 1306 and was the only ruling family whose princes and kings were Czechs. All subsequent monarchs came from foreign families.
Vyacheslav belonged to the third generation of princes who converted to Christianity. His grandfather Borzhivoya I in 990 was baptized by Saint Methodius himself. After the death of Prince Vratislav I, the father of Wenceslas, the Christian upbringing and education of the 13-year-old prince was taken care of by his grandmother, the zealous Christian Lyudmila of Bohemia, who later became the holy martyr Lyudmila. Dragomira, the mother of Wenceslas, who remained a champion of the pagan faith, after the death of her husband took over the regency over Bohemia. Her rule was arbitrary and cruel, especially towards Christian subjects.
Furious confrontation arose between Dragomira and Lyudmila, and the court was divided into two confronting parties. In addition to disputes about the Saxon threat (an attack on the lands of Bohemia by King Henry I of Germany) and power in the principality, Dragomir did not like Ludmila's influence on Wenceslas. The regent organized the murder of her mother-in-law when she was in Tenin Castle near Beroun. According to legend, sentOn September 15, 921, Dragomira's killers strangled Ludmila Bohemskaya with her own veil. The name of St. Ludmila was included in the lists of Orthodox and Catholic saints, and her remains were transferred to the Church of St. George in Prague built by Father Wenceslas. According to legend, Dragomira tried to convert Vaclav to a pagan religion after the death of his grandmother, but her attempts were unsuccessful.
Board
In 924-925. Wenceslas was actually forced on behalf of his subjects to overthrow his mother and take the princely throne, after which he immediately exiled Dragomira to Budec. It is not known exactly when Wenceslas came of age, but the latest date is the autumn of 925, when he already ruled the state. With the support of the nobles, the newly-born prince took control of the government and directed his main efforts to resolving internal and external conflicts.
The reign of Wenceslas began with hostilities within the state. He fought with the troops of Rodislav, the rebel princes of the Zalican tribes, who had the territories of Eastern and Southern Bohemia. Wenceslas defeated the leader of the Zalichans, and Rodislav submitted to the authority of the prince of Bohemia. In different parts of the state there were other, hostile principalities and individual tribes. But an external threat prevented coping with internal enemies and concentrating on consolidating a single strong Czech Republic.
Peace treaty with Henry I
Bohemia was subjected to continuous raids by the Magyars and other enemies. The greatest danger was represented by the Duke of Saxony, King Henry I of Germany, known as the Birdman. He subjugated many European states and peoples to his power, significantly expanded his territories and got very close to Bohemia. At the beginning of 929, with the support of an ally of the Duke of Bavaria, the troops of the German king almost approached the walls of Prague. In response to the threat of attack, Prince Wenceslas renewed the tribute treaty first introduced by the East Frankish king in 895.
The annual tax from Bohemia in the form of precious metals and cattle was burdensome for Bohemia. But while Wenceslas paid this fee, he could focus on strengthening the Czech state and spreading the Christian religion in his principality.
The sacred gift of King Henry
The peace treaty saved the nascent Czech state from ruin and the aggressive policy of Henry I. The King of Germany even gave Wenceslas part of the remains of one of the most revered Saxon patrons - the right hand of St. Vitus. The transfer of the relic meant that Henry I recognized Wenceslas as a political and Christian partner. This gift also marked the beginning of the accession of Bohemia to the composition and patronage of the Roman Church. Prior to this, religious rites in Bohemia were held according to Byzantine traditions and in the Old Church Slavonic language. Wenceslas invited German priests and approved the Latin rite instead of the old Slavic, which fell into disuse in many places in Bohemia due to a shortage of clergy.
Spiritualstate center
To store the shrine, around 930 Wenceslas built a rotunda in honor of St. Vitus in the fortified settlement of the castle, which became the main religious institution of the Czech Republic. The prince personally held the first service in the church in Latin and Slavonic. Later, for five centuries, on the site of a wooden rotunda, the Cathedral of St. Vitus, Wenceslas and Vojtech, founded by Vaclav in Prague, was erected. The temple is the most important shrine of the state, it houses the chair of the Bishop of Prague, and in the southern apse, the most important place of the cathedral, the remains of the holy king are buried. The south apse of the cathedral, the crown and skull of St. Wenceslas were an integral part of the coronation ritual in the Czech Republic.
Acts
The ancient legends of the 10th-11th centuries depict the virtuous and pious life of Prince Wenceslas, full of concern for the strengthening of the Christian faith in the Czech lands. The construction of numerous churches is also attributed to the saint, but there is no documentary evidence for this. The legends focus on the frequent visits of Wenceslas to divine services, the acts of mercy and compassion he undertook. In honor of the memory of his grandmother, St. Ludmila, the prince took care of the poor, sick and orphans, provided shelter and hospitality to pilgrims, redeemed slaves from captivity. Some later reports speak of deforestation around Prague Castle. Wenceslas ordered to clear the area for vineyards, orchards and fields. Under his reign, the production of wine and grain trade began to develop.
Treachery
In September 935, Prince Wenceslas was killed by his younger brother Boleslav, who planned the villainy in advance. On the occasion of the feast in honor of Saints Cosmas and Damian, Boleslav invited the prince to his city of Stary Boleslav and arranged a feast for his elder brother. The next morning, before dawn, Vaclav went to the church of Cosmas and Damian, and when he left after the service, three of Boleslav's associates - Tyr, Chesta and Gnevs - attacked the prince and stabbed him to death. After the lifeless body of his brother fell to the ground, Boleslav pierced him with a spear.
Legends report the day of the murder, not the year. This happened on Monday, September 28, which coincided with the day of the week in 929 and 935. Due to the lack of more specific data, the year of Prince Wenceslas' death is not definitively known. Historians suggest that it was 935.
Religious buildings
In the Czech Republic, many churches were erected in honor of Wenceslas. In addition to the Cathedral of St. Vitus and the chapels of St. Wenceslas in Prague Castle, you can name a number of famous churches:
- Basilica of St. Wenceslas in Old Boleslav, built in the Romanesque, Renaissance and Baroque styles. Located on the site of the church of St. Cosmas and Damian, where Wenceslas, according to legend, was killed by his brother Boleslav I in 935 (or 929). The Basilica is a significant place of pilgrimage.
- St. Wenceslas Cathedral on Wenceslas Square in Olomouc, founded in 1107.
- In honor of St. Wenceslas is a three-aisled gothic church in Ostrava on Kostelni street. The building of the end of the XIII century isone of the oldest and most important cultural and historical monuments in Ostrava.
- The three-aisled Church of St. Wenceslas in Prague on Stefankov Street is one of the most significant monuments of the Czech Neo-Renaissance, built between 1881 and 1885.
- Basilica of St. Wenceslas, built in the Romanesque style in the 12th century, is the oldest architectural monument in Prague's Prosek district.
- Gothic one-nave church of St. Wenceslas, located at the corner of Reslova and Dietrichova streets in Prague's Zderaz district.
One can name many more chapels and churches. Outside the Czech Republic, the most famous church is the Polish Cathedral of St. Stanislaus and Wenceslas, founded in 1020, erected in Krakow on Wawel Hill. This is a sacred object for the Polish people, a national cultural and historical monument, a traditional wedding and burial place for Polish kings.
The Legend of the Risen King
Roughly since the 15th century, one of the most beautiful legends of Bohemia has become popular in the Czech lands. An army of knights buried under Mount Blanik will wake up from a dead sleep and, led by King Wenceslas, will come to the aid of the Czech people in an hour of extreme danger.
During the construction of the monument to St. Wenceslas in Prague from 1848 to 1922, a similar legend appeared in the capital. In the darkest times, when the country is close to ruin, the equestrian statue of the patron of the Czech Republic on Wenceslas Square will come to life. The king will raise the army sleeping in Blahnik and lead it behind him. When will Vaclavcross the Charles Bridge, the horse under it will stumble on a stone. This will open the legendary sword of Bruncvik, hidden in the bridge support. With this sword, Saint Wenceslas will destroy all the enemies of the Czech land, giving the state peace and prosperity.
