BASILICA OF THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY AND SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS

VELEHRAD

CZECH REPUBLIC

Velehrad is the cradle of our Christianity, the source of faith for the eastern parts of Europe. Cyril and Methodius brought in gospel, liturgy, language and civilisation. Cistercians developed economy and cultivated the countryside. Jesuits introduced education. Mass pilgrimages during the communist regime paved the path towards democracy.

“Make sure that Europe takes responsibility for its entire heritage – its West, but also its East – and starts to breathe fully using both lungs.”

- Cardinal Thomas Spidlik

My very first visit? I wish I remembered more, I think I was a child... And then again in my important years, influenced by the music of Hradistan. And then again with my family, and with a group visiting all Cistercian monasteries in Moravia. There must be some invisible bond - this monastery was not dissolved by the Austrian emperor Joseph II only because our monastery in Zdar offered itself instead.

Cardinal Tomas Spidlik, SJ is burried here. The advisor to John Paul II on Eastern churches, the preacher at the conclave which elected Benedict XVI. But most of all, a wise man full of humour who could understand and connect the Western and Eastern theology. Who always reminded us that the beauty of art is a way to God.

LINKS

Parish website (Czech): https://www.farnostvelehrad.cz/

Wikipedia (Czech): https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velehrad

Wikipedia (English): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velehrad

Centro Aletti Rome - cardinal Tomas Spidlik, SJ (Italian): https://www.centroaletti.com/

VISITS

September 28, 2013

April 21, 2018