00:01Wenceslas, Prince of Bohemia at the beginning of the 10th century, was raised in the Christian faith by his grandmother, Saint
00:08Ludmilla.
00:09His mother, Draomira, who remained a pagan, persecuted Christians, but Wenceslas, from a very young age, showed a devotion and a
00:19Rare wisdom.
00:22Having become a duke at a very young age after the death of his father, Wenceslas took the reins of a still divided Bohemia.
00:28He worked to consolidate Christianity, not by force, but by example and peace.
00:35He had churches built, notably the Saint-Guy rotunda, and protected the clergy.
00:42His policy aimed at stability. He chose to maintain peaceful relations with the Holy Roman Empire, agreeing to
00:50to pay tribute.
00:52Some saw it as a weakness, but Wenceslas considered this strategy the best way to ensure peace and...
00:59'autonomy of its people, thus avoiding devastating wars.
01:04He was renowned for his personal piety and great charity.
01:09Legend has it that he himself cultivated the wheat for the communion wafer and the grapes for the wine.
01:14the mass,
01:15and that he personally visited prisons and helped the poor, even on winter nights.
01:21His reign was marked by justice and mercy.
01:37On the night of September 28, 935, or 929 according to some sources, Wenceslas was invited by Boleslas to a party,
01:47and, as he was going to church for morning mass in Stara Boleslav,
01:52He was attacked and assassinated by his brother's men, then finished off by Boleslas himself.
01:59He died a martyr for his faith and his ideals of peace.
02:03His tragic death transformed him into an eternal symbol.
02:08Immediately venerated as a saint, Wenceslas became the patron saint of Bohemia, and later, of the Czech Republic.
02:15It embodies the national spirit, sovereignty, and protection of the country.
02:21Even today, his statue stands in the heart of Prague, in Wenceslas Square.
02:27recalling his legacy as a just, pious and peaceful king.
02:32The famous Christmas song, "Good King Wenceslas"
02:36perpetuates throughout the world his image as a charitable sovereign devoted to his people.
02:41He remains a model of a leader seeking the common good
02:45and an example of humble and courageous faith in the face of violence.
02:53The famous Christmas song, "Good King Wenceslas"
02:56"Good King Wenceslas"
02:56"Good Queen Wenceslas"
02:57"Good King Wenceslas"
