Changes

Jump to: navigation, search

Ss. Cyril and Methodius Cathedral (Prague, Czech Republic)

279 bytes removed, 19:02, December 3, 2009
removed cleanup; much editing since the tags was added
{{cleanup}}[[Image:Pravoslavny katedralni chram sv. Cyrila a Metodeje Resslova Praha.jpg|Right|thumb|300px|Ss. Cyril and Methodius Cathedral in Prague, Czech Republic]]The '''Ss. Cyril and Methodius Cathedral''' in Prague, Czech Republic, is the principal [[church]] in the Metropolitan Council of the Czech Republic. The existing structure had its origins as a [[Roman Catholic]] church built in the eighteenth century. During World War II, the [[cathedral]] was the scene of the last stand of a number of Czech patriots who had assassinated Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazi SS Obergruppenfuhrer and General of Police.
The '''==Early history==According to oral tradition, the site where Ss. Cyril and Methodius Cathedral''' in Prague, Czech Republic, is the principal church in the Metropolitan Council of the Czech Republic. The site of the church is considered to be stands was the site of a small church that was consecrated built by Duke Borivoj I and dedicated by St. Methodius. The existing structure had its origins as a [[Roman CatholicMethodius of Moravia|Methodius]] church built in the eighteenth centuryhimself. It was leased This link is based historically upon early and continuing reference to the Church of Czechoslovakia in name "Na Zderaze" for the 1930s by the Czechoslovak governmentexisting church building. In 19421091, the Czech lord Zderad was killed during World War II, the cathedral siege of Brno and was buried in the scene of earlier church which was near Prague. Zderad's name was then immortalized in the last stand of a number name of Czech patriots who have assassinated Reinhard Heydrich, the SS Obergruppenfuhrer and General of Police for street "Na Zderaze" which is adjacent to the conquering Nazi regimecathedral, thus establishing a connection to this site that was hallowed by St. The reprisals for this act had serious consequences for both the Czech populace and the churchMethodius.
==Early-history==According to oral tradition From 1115, the site where church of Ss. Cyril Peter and Methodius Cathedral stands was Paul stood on the site of a small the present church , around which the Knights of the Cross built by Duke Borivoj I and dedicated by St. Methodius himselfthe Zderazsky [[monastery]]. This link is based historically upon early and continuous reference to During the name "Na Zderaze" for Hussite wars the existing church buildingwas largely destroyed, leaving only a part of the choir standing. In 10911705, the Czech lord Zderad was killed during the siege Roman Catholic [[archbishop]] of Brno and was buried in the earlier church that was near Prague. Zderad's name was then immortalized in , Brener, established a retirement home for priests on the name site of the street "Na Zderaze" that is adjacent monastery next to the cathedral, thus establishing which a connection to this site that church was hallowed by St. Methodiuslater built.
From 1115, the church of ==Modern history==Ss. Peter Cyril and Paul stood on Methodius Cathedral was originally built as the St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church during the site years of 1730 to 1740. Construction was started under the present [[church]]direction of Pavel Ignac Bayer, around which the Knights but in 1733 Kristian Spannbruker and Kilian Ignac Dienzenhofer assumed direction of the Cross built construction and completed the Zderazsky project in 1740. The dedication was of St. Charles Borromoro, who had been [[monasteryarchbishop]]of Milan (1538-1584). During the Hussite wars the The church was largely destroyed, leaving only a part of the choir standing. In 1705, the a home for retired Roman Catholic [[archbishoppriest]] of Prague, Brener, established s and contained a retirement home crypt with alcoves for the priests on the site of the monastery next to which a church was later built' tombs.
==Modern History==Ss. Cyril The church and Methodius Cathedral was originally built as home were closed on [[January 12]], 1783, by the St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church during the years of 1730 to 1740. Construction was started under the direction of Pavel Ignac BayerAustrian Emperor Josef II and transformed, but in 1733 Kristian Spannbruker 1785, into a army storehouse and Kilian Ignac Dienzenhofer assumed direction of barracks respectively. From 1869, the construction and completed the project in 1740. The dedication complex was of Stused as a Czech technology center. Charles BorromoroIn 1885, who had been archbishop the level of Milan (1538-1584). The Resslova Street was lowered giving the church was part an appearance of a home for retired Roman Catholic priests and contained a crypt with alcoves for the priests' tombsgreater height.
The When Bp. [[Gorazd (Pavlik) of Prague|Gorazd]] revived the [[Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia|Czech Orthodox Church]] in 1921 he and the church officials began looking for an existing, unused church and home were closed on building for their cathedral. On [[January 12July 29]], 17831933, by the Austrian Emperor Josef II and transformedcouncil of ministers, in 1785, into response to a army storehouse and barracks respectively. From 1869, request by the complex was used as a Czech technology centerOrthodox [[Eparchy]] ([[diocese]]) granted use of the former St. In 1885, Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church on the level corner of Resslova Street was lowered giving and Na Zderaze streets to the Czech church an appearance under a long term lease. The lease stipulated a number of improvements that the Czech Eparchy would have to make to the church, including a new entrance and renovations of greater heightthe interior.
When Bp. [[Gorazd (Pavlik) Consecration of Prague|Gorazd]] revived the [[Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia|Czech first Orthodox Church]] in 1921 he and the church officials began looking for an existing, unused church building for their cathedral. On Prague was held on [[July 29September 28]], 19331935, on the council feast of St. Wenceslas. The original date of ministers, in response to a request by the Czech Orthodox [[EparchyOctober 14]] ([[diocese]]) and with recommendations from , 1934 was postponed due to the Ministry death of Education and Culture, Ministry King Alexander I of Public WorksYugoslavia. The consecration service was led by Bp. Gorazd, Czech Technical Universityassisted by the Serbian Metropolitan Dositej, State Office for MemorialsSub-Carpathian Bp. Damaskin, and the Prague local office, granted use of the former StRussian Bp. Sergiy. The cathedral was dedicated to Ss. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church on the corner of Resslova Cyril and Na Zderaze streets Methodius, who had originally brought Orthodox Christianity to Moravia and from whom the church in the Czech church under a long term leaseLands is descended. The lease stipulated a number Relics of improvement that two saints, the Czech Eparchy would have to make to martyred St. Averky and the churchSerbian archbishop, including a new entrance and renovations of St. Arseny were interred beneath the interioraltar.
Consecration From its consecration, the cathedral of Ss. Cyril and Methodius has been linked by the first Orthodox Church in Prague was held on press to its Byzantine missionary past and to Ss. [[September 28Cyril and Methodius|Cyril and Methodius]], 1935noting that Methodius had been there, presiding over worship, on and had baptized the feast of St. Wenceslas. The original date of [[October 14]]first Czech Duke Borivoj and his wife, Ludmila, 1934 was postponed due according to the death of King Alexander I of YugoslaviaEastern Church rite. The consecration service was led by Bp. Gorazd, assisted by press further noted that the Czech Orthodox Church considered the Serbian Metropolitan Dositej, Sub-Carpathian Bp. Damaskin, Duke and his wife to be members of their church just as the Russian Bp. Sergy. The cathedral was dedicated to church does with Ss. Cyril and Methodius, who had originally brought Orthodox Christianity . The first priest assigned to Moravia and from whom the church in the Czech Lands is descended[[parish]] was Fr. Petr Kauer, with Fr. Vladimir Petrek as his assistant. Relics of two saintsOn [[August 11]], 1937, the martyred StFr. Aversky Petr died and the Serbian archbishopwas succeeded by Fr. Vaclav Cikl on [[January 31]], St. Arseny were interred beneath the altar1938.
From its consecration, The cathedral was the cathedral scene during World War II of Ss. Cyril and Methodius has been linked by the Prague press to its Byzantine missionary past and to Ss. Cyril and Methodius, noting that Methodius last stand of a number of Czech patriots who had been there, presiding over worshipassassinated Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazi SS Obergruppenfuhrer and General of Police and had baptized the first Czech Duke Borivoj newly appointed Reichsprotektor of Bohemia and his wife, Ludmila, according to Moravia. After completion of the Eastern Church rite. The press further noted that military operation by the Czech Orthodox Church considered the Duke and his wife to be members of their church just as the church does with Ss. Cyril and Methodius. The first parachutists on [[priestMay 27]] assigned to , 1942, seven members of the group took refuge in the [[parishcrypt]] was Fr. Petr Kauer, of the cathedral with the assistance of Fr. Vladimir Petrek as his assistant, layman Jan Sonnevend, Bp. Gorazd, and others. They had planned to stay a short time, but one of the parachutists betrayed them before they could make their escape. On [[August 11June 18]], 1937the cathedral was surrounded by 800 Gestapo soldiers, Frwhose orders were to capture the group alive. Petr Three of the Czech patriots died and defending the nave of the cathedral, followed by the storming of the crypt by the Gestapo after it was succeeded by Frdiscovered. Vaclav Cikl There, the remaining four Czechs fought until their last four bullets that they used on [[January 31]], 1938themselves.
The cathedral was the scene of the last stand of a number of Czech patriots who have assassinated Reinhard Heydrich, the SS Obergruppenfuhrer and General of Police and the newly appointed Reichsprotektor of Bohemia and Moravia for the conquering Nazi regime. After completion of the military operation by the Czech parachutists on [[May 27]], 1942, seven members of the group took refuge in the [[crypt]] of the cathedral with the assistance of Fr. Vladimir Petrek, layman Jan Sonnevend, Bp. Gorazd, and others. They had planned to stay a short time, but one of the parachutists betrayed them before they could make their escape. On [[June 18]], the cathedral was surrounded by 800 Gestapo soldiers, whose orders were to capture the group alive. Three of the Czech patriots died defending the nave of the cathedral, followed by the storming of the crypt by the Gestapo after it was discovered. There, the remaining four Czechs fought until their last four bullets that they used on themselves. Bp. Gorazd took the path of self-sacrifice, with which we are familiar from biographies of the holy martyrs, in an attempt to end the Nazi terror that had begun. He wrote letters to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Education, and the office of the Reichsprotektor taking full responsibility and was ready to undergo any punishment, even death. His The only reply he received was his arrest on [[June 25]]. The reprisals continued as the population of the village of Lidice was decimated. The men were shot, the women sent to concentration camps, and children deported to Germany for adoption. After which the village was razed to the ground.
The trial of the members of the Czech Orthodox Church was held on [[September 3]], 1942, after which Bp. Gorazd, Fr. Cikl, and council chairman Sonnevend were executed by a firing squad on the next day. Fr. Petrek was executed on [[September 5]]. For aiding the parachutists, 263 Czechs were arrested, transported to the Mauthausen concentration camp, and shot to death on [[October 24]], including nine members of the cathedral’s congregation: Marie Ciklova, wife of the dean; Marie Gruzinnova, Bp. Gorazd’s secretary; Marie Sonnevendova, wife of the council chairman; Ludmila Rysova, choir member; Vaclav Ornest, the sacristan, his wife Frantiska Ornestova, and daughter, Miluse Ornestova, a choir and youth group member; Karel Louda, choir member; and Marie Loudova, also a choir and youth group member. In all, the Orthodox Church lost 13 sons and daughters.
The Reichsprotektor of Bohemia and Moravia issued an edict of on [[September 27]], 1942, closing all Czech Orthodox Churches and confiscating their property. The Orthodox priests were taken away to forced labor in Germany, thus effectively destroying the Czech Orthodox Church. With the end of the war in 1945 the devastated cathedral was returned to the revived Orthodox Church. The first liturgy was held in the courtyard in front of the church building on [[May 13]], 1945. On third anniversary of the "Heydrich Terror," [[June 17]], the first memorial service for the victims of the terror was held in the overflowing cathedral. The cathedral was re-consecrated on [[July 5]], 1947 as it had been desecrated in the Gestapo attack of 1942. In 1946, the apartment of the martyred sacristan, Vaclav Ornest, was converted into a chapel as a memorial to Bp. Gorazd and was consecrated on [[November 12]], 1947. A bronze memorial plaque, unveiled on [[October 28]], 1947, was placed on the exterior of the cathedral emblazoned with relief portraits of the parachutists who died in the cathedral as well as Bp. Gorazd, who was [[Glorification|glorified]] on [[September 4]], 1987.
Since then, With the end of the war in 1945 the devastated cathedral has been restored further, including new iconography and paintingwas returned to the revived Orthodox Church. Through The first liturgy was held in the years from World War II, memorial services have been held annually courtyard in remembrance front of the victims church building on [[May 13]], 1945. On third anniversary of the "Heydrich’s Heydrich Terror," on [[June 1817]]. This has culminated in , the first memorial service for the establishment victims of the Orthodox Cathedral of Ssterror was held in the overflowing cathedral. Cyril and Methodius The cathedral was re-consecrated on [[July 5]], 1947 as ''A National Memorial to it had been desecrated in the Heroes Gestapo attack of 1942. In 1946, the Heydrich Terror - A Place apartment of Reconciliation''the martyred sacristan, Vaclav Ornest, was converted into a [[chapel]] as a memorial to Bp. This took place Gorazd and was consecrated on the 60th anniversary[[November 12]], 1947. A bronze memorial plaque, unveiled on [[September October 28]], 19951947, was placed on the exterior of the cathedral emblazoned with relief portraits of its original consecration as the first Czech Orthodox parachutists who died in the cathedralas well as Bp. Gorazd, who was [[Glorification|glorified]] on [[September 4]], 1987.
==Sources==* Jaraslav Suvarsky Since then, the cathedral has been restored further, including new iconography and Eva Suvarskapainting. Through the years since World War II, memorial services have been held annually on [[June 18]] in remembrance of the victims of "Heydrich’s Terror". The annual remembrance has culminated in the establishment of the Orthodox Cathedral of Ss. Cyril and Methodius as ''A National Memorial to the Heros Heroes of the Heydrich Terror - A Place of Reconciliation''. This took place on the 60th anniversary, Orthodox Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Pragus[[September 28]], Prague1995, 2002of its original consecration as the first Czech Orthodox cathedral.
==Source==
*Jaraslav Suvarsky and Eva Suvarska, ''A National Memorial to the Heros of the Heydrich Terror - A Place of Reconciliation'', Orthodox Cathedral of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Pragus, Prague, 2002
==External linkslink==* [http://pravoslavnacirkev.cz Official church website ] (Czech only)]
[[Category:Churches|Cyril]]
[[Category:Churches]]== Headline text ==
Wsk
Administrators
16,951
edits
Retrieved from "https://orthodoxwiki.org/Special:MobileDiff/26101...89260"

Navigation menu