Saint Wenceslas

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St Wenceslas
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Celebrated on September 28th
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Patron saint of Bohemia. Duke and martyr. Born in 907, the name of St Wenceslas was immortalised in the Victorian Christmas carol, based on a much earlier song.


But very little facts are known about his real life.

He was a devoted Christian who worked for the religious and educational improvement of his people. He accepted German rule, recognising King Henry the Fowler as the successor to Charlemagne. He was murdered in 929 by his brother Boleslaw’s pagan followers.

A huge cult formed around him soon after death, centred on the church of St Vitus in Prague where his relics were brought. The Crown of Wenceslas was taken as a symbol of Czech nationalism. A series of paintings at the castle of Karlstein underline his national as well as religious importance.
(from ICN)
 
Saint Wenceslas chorale - Svatováclavský chorál (in Czech) as we sing it on this day


and “older” medieval version from the 12th century and one of the oldest known czech songs


English translation of the text:
  1. Saint Wenceslas, Duke of the land of Bohemia, Prince of ours, pray for us to God, to the Holy Ghost! Kyrie eleison!
  2. Beautiful is the heavenly kingdom, happy are those who shall proceed there: towards life eternal, the shining fire of the Holy Ghost, Kyrie eleison.
  3. We plead for your intercession, have mercy upon us, comfort the grieving, repel all evil, Saint Wenceslas! Kyrie eleison.
 
It’s a carol I’ve always loved, even though some bits of it puzzled me as a child. I used to think it said ‘Good King Wences last looked out …’. I wondered why he was looking out for the last time. I also thought the ‘Feast of Stephen’ must be the place he was looking out on. 🙂
 
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