Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia

Who they were

Wenceslaus was born early in the tenth century, when Christianity in Bohemia was still young and most people were pagan; in him the Slavonic mission of Cyril and Methodius and the Latin mission from Regensburg met. His father died on 13 February 921 while he was still a minor, and by 924 he was ruling Bohemia, working to spread the Gospel everywhere.

His younger brother Boleslaus had him ambushed. Going alone to the chapel in the morning, he found the door locked by a bribed priest; Boleslaus attacked him, Wenceslaus threw him down, gave back his sword and forgave him, and Boleslaus' companions killed him. He died between 929 and 935. His brother later had his body moved to St Vitus in Prague, where it still lies.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: Wenceslaus has been honoured as a martyr since his death. He is patron of Bohemia and of the Czech people.

Why that counted as sanctity

Wenceslaus ruled to spread the Gospel among his people, and died forgiving the brother who had him killed.