Jan Hus
Jan Hus was the prominent figure that had stamped its mark on Czech history during the entire 15th century. Hus (born in 1372 in South Bohemia) was a Christian philosopher, theologian and a reformer, who began teaching in Charles University two years after he’d received his degree.
Jan Hus, who gathered public influence in the presence of these events, was inspired by the ideas of John Wycliffe, English radical philosopher and proponent of Church reform. Wycliffe’s ideas were considered so extreme, that many teachers in Charles University rejected his works as a heresy. Together with his followers (known as Hussites), Hus founded Betlémská Kaple (Betlehem Chapel), where he preached his sermons in Czech instead of Latin. At the same time, Hus continued teaching in Charles University while exploiting his public influence to fight the Pope’s and the Cardinals’ corruption and to resist indulgences.
Shortly after the Betlémská Kaple’s establishment, the Czech language sermons were forbidden by the Pope, who put Hus under the great church ban and destroyed his Chapel. As part of the measures that were taken against Hus, he was forced by Václav IV to leave Prague.
In November 1414, the general council was planned in Constance (Germany) in order to put an end to the papal schism. Jan Hus - Christian philosopher, theologian and a reformer - was invited to the council for investigation by Sigismund of Luxemburg, brother of Václav IV, and willingly agreed to cooperate. Sigismund promised Hus his protection and safety during the journey back home, while as a secular ruler he had no authority to promise that.
Despite Sigismund’s promise, soon after his arrival at the Council, Hus was imprizoned in the Dominican monastery. Hus refused to advocate himself, and after the 73 days isolation he was trialed and sentenced to death on the stake. Before his execution, Hus asked God to forgive his enemies.
· On 18/12/1999, the Pope John Paul II apologized for the Hus’ execution.
· Jan Hus Day is celebrated in the Czech Republic as a public holiday on July 6, the anniversary of the execution of Jan Hus.
