Adalbert of Prague
Adalbert of Prague (Latin: Sanctus Adalbertus, Czech: svatý Vojtěch, Slovak: svätý Vojtech, Polish: święty Wojciech, Hungarian: Szent Adalbert (Béla); c. 956 – 23 April 997), known in the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia by his birth name Vojtěch (Latin: Voitecus), was a Czech missionary and Christian saint. He was the Bishop of Prague and a missionary to the Hungarians, Poles, and Prussians, who was martyred in his efforts to convert the Baltic Prussians to Christianity. He is said to be the composer of the oldest Czech hymn Hospodine, pomiluj ny and Bogurodzica, the oldest known Polish hymn, but his authorship of them has not been confirmed.
Saint Adalbert of Prague | |
|---|---|
| Bishop and Martyr | |
| Born | c. 956 Libice nad Cidlinou, Duchy of Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) |
| Died | 23 April 997 (aged 40–41) Święty Gaj or Primorsk, Prussia (now Poland or Russia) |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Canonized | 999, Rome by Pope Sylvester II |
| Major shrine | Gniezno, Prague |
| Feast | 23 April |
| Attributes | spears |
| Patronage | Poland, Czech Republic, Archdiocese of Esztergom, Archdiocese of Prague (primary), students of Polish literature, Kaliningrad Oblast |
Adalbert was later declared the patron saint of the Czech Republic, Poland, and the Duchy of Prussia. He is also the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Esztergom in Hungary.