Saint Wenceslas

On September 28 in the year 935 A.D. (some sources say earlier, in 929), Czech Prince Wenceslas of the Přemyslid dynasty, was murdered in the town of Staré Boleslav, the victim of a plot orchestrated by his treacherous brother Boleslav in a ruthless bid for power. Even entire families of Wenceslas’s supporters - even innocents – were murdered.

At the same time, it was Boleslav himself who, in 938, had his brother’s remains transported to Prague, and it was he who pushed for his brother’s canonization as a saint. In this way, Boleslav played a key role in what was to become a long and unique tradition in the Czech lands. The cult of St. Wenceslas began to spread at the end of the 10th century: at first, as a saint he represented and was protector of the royal Přemyslid line; later he became a patron saint. His portrait, together with the Přemyslid coat-of-arms and pennant, symbolized the country, while the name Václav (Wenceslas) became synonymous with Bohemia and the Czech crown.

Saint Wenceslas is one of the most celebrated of Czech saints: patron saint, martyr and a key personality, who played an important role in the emancipation of the Czech state and cementing the Přemyslid dynasty within the framework of Christian Europe.

Since the year 2000, September 28 has been a state holiday: the day of Czech Statehood.

 

Photo gallery

 

Saint Wenceslas pilgrimage and Pope Benedict XVI’s visit

Part of the Wenceslas tradition is a pilgrimage conducted each year on September 28. Worshippers taking part visit two churches in Staré Boleslav: the basilica of St Wenceslas and the pilgrimage church Nanebevzetí Panny Marie. The main ceremony is a church service on Marienské Square, led by the archbishop of Prague.

You can find more information at:

Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the Czech Republic

This year’s anniversary will be enriched by a visit by Pope Benedict XVI, who will visit the Czech Republic from September 26 – 28. The Holy Father will travel to Prague, Brno and Staré Boleslav. He will serve two large outdoor masses: one on September 27 in Brno, and one in Staré Boleslav on September 28, that is on the anniversary of St Wenceslas’s death.

Audience of President Václav Klaus and his wife Livie with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on May 30 2009. Photo: www.mzv.czAudience of President Václav Klaus and his wife Livie with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on May 30 2009. Photo: www.mzv.cz


Date Title
28.09.2019 Thousands attend mass in Stará Boleslav on St. Wenceslas Day
28.09.2018 On September 28th Czechs celebrate St. Wenceslas Day
27.09.2018 St. Wenceslas Day to kick off month of centenary celebrations
27.09.2018 Epic silent-film era biopic “Saint Wenceslas” screening with long lost musical score
22.12.2017 Popular British carol sings the praises of St. Václav
28.09.2017 Thousands attend mass in Stara Boleslav on St Wenceslas Day
28.09.2016 Members of the public and politicians mark the Day of Czech Statehood
28.09.2016 Brandýs nad Labem-Stará Boleslav - a place of pilgrimage
28.09.2015 Day of Czech Statehood marked
28.09.2015 The life and times of St. Wenceslas
All related articles