Relics stolen from Catholic Church in Czechia

The skull of Saint Zdislava in the Basilica of Saint Lawrence and Saint Zdislava in Jablonné. Photo: Tomáš Mařas, Czech Radio

This week, a Christian relic – the skull of St. Zdislava – was stolen from a basilica in the town of Jablonné, north of Prague, Radio Prague International reports.

The incident took place on Tuesday shortly before the evening service. The perpetrator smashed the glass reliquary in which the relic had been kept for more than a century and fled before police arrived.

A priest who was in the sacristy at the time heard two loud blows but was unable to stop the thief. Regional police are reviewing surveillance footage showing a person dressed in dark clothing carrying the stolen skull.

St. Zdislava lived in the 13th century and became known for her works of mercy, care for the poor, and the founding of monasteries. The stolen skull is regarded as a unique historical and spiritual treasure of Czechia.

Archbishop Stanislav Přibyl of Prague called the theft “an attack on the sacred” and issued a grave warning to the robber.

“We believe that those whose remains we venerate continue to live and act,” the hierarch said. “So it may happen that the thief is struck by a curse or misfortune. This is not a threat, but a reality – such things do happen.”

Josef Nuzík, head of the Czech Bishops’ Conference, also called for the relic to be returned to the church.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a reliquary containing the relics of St. Spyridon had been stolen from a church in Belarus.

Read also