Czechs marking Statehood Day, honoring nation’s patron saint

Czechs are marking Statehood Day, which falls on the Day of St. Wenceslas, the nation’s patron saint. Several hundred people undertook the traditional pilgrimage to the town of Stará Boleslav for an open air mass celebrated outside the church where the prince was murdered by dissenters. On the day, St Wenceslas's skull is on display in the crypt of the local basilica. Many of the accompanying events, such as outdoor theatre performances and the St. Wenceslas fair have had to be curtailed because of the rain.