Declaration of John Huss a martyr of Christ for the sake of truth and moral values

31 May 2015

With the approach of the 600^th anniversary of the martyrdom of John Huss, the Byzantine Catholic (Universal) Patriarchate hereby declares the Bohemian priest John Huss a martyr of Christ.

600 years ago, on 6 July 1415, he was unjustly and dishonestly burnt at the stake in Constance. John Huss was and is a martyr for truth and moral values.

JUSTIFICATION AND AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW:

His death was preceded by a moral and holy life. The true reason for his death was that he was an undesirable criticizer of vices, including the Church hierarchy. At the present time, the truth is being destroyed worldwide by half-truths and psychological manipulation. Moral values are being eliminated by global amoralism leading to both moral and physical degradation of the individual and society. Fighters for truth and moral values, ready to sacrifice their lives like the Bohemian martyr John, are few, almost none. This is the tragedy of our time. May the Bohemian martyr John be an example to us at the beginning of the 3^rd millennium of a fighter for the sake of truth and God’s laws. The truth he fought for was not just theoretical. He fought for Jesus Christ who is the Truth (Jn 14:6). May warriors of God arise especially in the Czech nation who will follow this saint and hero and be ready even to die martyrs.

+ Elijah

Patriarch of the Byzantine Catholic Patriarchate

+ Methodius OSBMr            + Timothy OSBMr

Secretary Bishops of the BCP

Attachment:

1) 600^th anniversary of the martyrdom of John Huss (2014) (http://vkpatriarhat.org/en/?p=9703)

2) 2015 – 600^th anniversary of the martyrdom of John Huss (2014) (http://vkpatriarhat.org/en/?p=9750)

3) Czech Bishops’ Conference and 600^th anniversary of the burning at the stake of John Huss (2015) (http://vkpatriarhat.org/en/?p=10467)

Announcement about the declaration sent to:

Representatives of the Catholic Church in the Vatican and in the Czech Republic

Other Christian representatives in the Czech Republic

President and Government of the Czech Republic

Mass media

Download: Declaration of John Huss a martyr of Christ for the sake of truth and moral values (31/5/2015)