Czechs mark Jan Hus Day

July 6 is a public holiday in the Czech Republic commemorating the anniversary of the burning of Bohemian reformer priest Jan Hust in 1415.

A mass honouring Hus’ legacy was held in Prague’s Bethlehem Chapel, where Hus used to preach, on Wednesday afternoon to mark the occasion. It was conducted by the Patriarch of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church Tomáš Butta, who compared Hus with Czech philosopher Jan Amos Comenius, saying that they were both teachers close to their nation who played a role in uplifting Czech culture. This year marks the 430th anniversary of the birth of Comenius.

A mass was also held in Hus’ native village of Husinec.