St. Wenceslas
c. 877-935
π
Feast Day: September 28
π Life Timeline
Unknown
Born in c. 889
Unknown
Died β 935
Pre-
Canonized β Pre-Tridentine
921
Became Duke of Bohemia
β Biography
Born c.877 in Prague, Duchy of Bohemia. Son of Duke SpytihnΔv I and Saint Drahomira. Raised Christian by his grandmother St. Ludmila. Became Duke of Bohemia in 921. Sought to Christianize Bohemia and invited Christian missionaries, including St. Adalbert of Magdeburg. Conflicted with his pagan brother Boleslaus the Cruel over religious policy. Invited Boleslaus to a meeting at StarΓ‘ Boleslav on Sep 28, 935, where Boleslaus and his companions murdered Wenceslas as he prayed at the church. His last words: 'O Lord, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' His body was transferred to St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague. Became the patron saint and symbol of Bohemian Christianity. Canonized c.997 by Gregory V. His feast day, Sep 28, is the national holiday of the Czech Republic.
π‘ Patronage
Patron of: The Czech Republic, Bohemia, kings, and those who die for their country and faith.
π¬ Words of the Saint
Remember my people, O Lord.
π Key Facts
Born
c. 889
Died
935
Feast Day
September 28
Canonized
Pre-Tridentine
π Legacy
Wenceslas is the patron saint of the Czech Republic. His feast day is the national holiday. His story of Christian kingship inspired the carol 'Good King Wenceslas.' He united Bohemia through his martyrdom.
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