Prague, October 5, 2021
Photo: katedrala.info
This year marks the 1,100th anniversary of one of the most beloved saints of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia.
On September 28, the eve of the feast of St. Ludmila, the grandmother of St. Wenceslaus and a great Christian ruler in her own right, an akathist to the saint was read at her tomb in St. George’s Basilica in Prague (today a Catholic church), reports the Cathedral of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Prague.
Photo: katedrala.info
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated the next day at the Church of St. Ludmila in the village of Tetín, not far from Prague.
The celebrations were led by His Eminence Archbishop Michael of Prague and His Eminence Archbishop Juraj of Michalovce and Košice.
Abp. Juraj (left), Abp. Michael (right). Photo: katedrala.info
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The Holy Martyr Ludmila, a Czech (Bohemian) princess, was married to the Czech prince Borivoy. Both spouses received holy Baptism from St. Methodius, Archbishop of Moravia and Enlightener of the Slavs.
As Christians, they showed concern for the enlightening of their subjects with the light of the true faith, they built churches and invited priests to celebrate the Divine services. Prince Borivoy died early at age 36. St. Ludmila, as a widow, led an austere, pious life and continued to be concerned for the Church during the reign of her son Bratislav, which lasted for 33 years.
Bratislav was married to Dragomira, with whom he had a son, Vyacheslav. After the death of Bratislav, 18-year-old Vyacheslav came on the throne. Taking advantage of the inexperience and youth of her son, Dragomira began to introduce pagan manners and customs in the country.
St. Ludmila, of course, opposed this. Dragomira came to hate her mother-in-law and tried to destroy her. When St. Ludmila moved away to the city of Tetín, Dragomira sent two boyars in secret to murder her. St. Ludmila was praying at the time, and the two assassins entered the house and carried out Dragomira’s orders.
The relics of the holy Martyr Ludmila were buried in Tetín in the city wall. Numerous healings occurred at her grave. Prince Vyacheslav transferred the body of St. Ludmila to the city of Prague and placed it in the Church of St. George.
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