Memory
Today is 6th of July, the day when a Czech most significant reformer Jan Hus was burned to death by official Roman Catholic Church representatives of that times for his reformation thoughts and preaching. This happened in year 1415 during the Counsel of Konstanz in Switzerland where he was invited under false protection to discuss his teaching. His death started Hussite Revolution few years later. Jan Hus was true christian and martyr of Jesus Christ and probably most influential Czech citizen of all times. His teaching also influenced Martin Luther about one hundred years later. Later on, Roman Catholic Church representatives also expressed regret (in 1999, 584 years after his death).
Hus can be an example for his moral integrity and his inability to compromise the truth even in front of facing certain death. It was one of true martyrs of Jesus Christs in 15th century when times were very dark and true Jesus's teaching was considered as heresy. Jan Hus expressed strong integrity to follow and stay firmly in truth.
Life in a nutshell
- 1369 born in Husinec, Bohemia
- Master degree at the University of Prague
- Rector, influenced by John Wycliffe
- Betlehem Chapel preacher
- Leaving Prague after ban and interdict
- 1414 Council of Constance, imprisoned
- 6th of July 1415 burned to death
Quotations
Jan Hus written several books and brought several well known and beautiful quotations that could be inspirational in any time. There are some of them:
Faith
Faith means to rely on the truth you have no visible proof for.
Truth
Therefore, faithful Christian, seek the truth, hear the truth, learn the truth, love the truth, speak the truth, adhere to the truth, defend the truth even till death; for the truth will make you free from sin, the devil, the death… My dearest, live according to the discerned truth which prevails over everything and is powerful forever.
Humility
Stick to humility, because it alone exalts man.
Fear
He who fears death loses the joys of life.
Love
To love someone means to strive in the right way for his good. Please, love one another, do not oppress anyone and wish the truth to everyone.
Purity
Hold the dignity of your soul high and keep it in purity.
Eternity
Eternal life is infinite happiness that consists in the knowledge of God.
Forgiveness
He is peace-loving, who asks forgiveness for the person who harms him… Nobody harms me more than Páleč*, may the Almighty God forgive him.
*) Páleč was his old friend who was betrayed him after he was previously broken during imprisonment by Roman Catholic church leaders
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