SAINT WENCESLAUS
Saint Wenceslaus By Edward Matulanya St. Wenceslaus—known in Czech as Václav and popularly called Good King Wenceslas—was born around 907 CE near Prague to Duke Vratislaus I and Drahomíra of Bohemia (Britannica, n.d.-a). After his father’s death, his Christian grandmother St. Ludmila oversaw his upbringing and instructed him in the faith (New Advent, 1912). Wenceslaus became Duke of Bohemia around 921 CE and worked to strengthen Christianity in his realm: he restored exiled clergy, built churches, aided the poor, and reportedly embraced a life of chastity (New Advent, 1912). Political tension between Christian and pagan factions culminated when his younger brother Boleslaus conspired against him. On 28 September—traditionally dated either 929 or 935—Wenceslaus was murdered near the church door at Stará Boleslav while attending Mass (Britannica, n.d.-a; New Advent, 1912). The Church venerates him as a martyr because his death was viewed as a consequence of his Christian witnes...