800-Year-Old Saint’s Skull Stolen from Czech Church
Police in the northern Czech Republic have confirmed the theft of an 800-year-old relic believed to be the skull of Saint Zdislava of Lemberk. The incident occurred on Tuesday at the Saint Lawrence and Saint Zdislava basilica in Jablonne v Podjestedi, located approximately 110 kilometers north of Prague. Security camera footage captured a man dressed in black running between the pews after snatching the skull from its display box. Saint Zdislava, who lived from 1220 to 1252, was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1995 and is revered for her dedication to the poor. Prague Archbishop Stanislav Pribyl expressed devastation over the loss, emphasizing that the relic holds immense historical and spiritual value for believers and pilgrims. He noted the shock of such a brazen theft occurring practically in broad daylight within a sacred space. Authorities are currently investigating the crime, seeking to recover the significant religious artifact which serves as a key piece of cultural heritage for the local Catholic community.
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