Jan Hus

Jan Hus really impressed me. I enjoyed learning about his life, and agreed with his doctrine. It seems so obviously correct to me, but I know it went directly against the common teaching of the time, and I think it’s amazing that he was willing and able to separate himself from the popular view to proclaim what he believed to be the truth. He did so much for the Czech people as well, and was truly a hero for them.

After researching him, I felt a renewed fascination with his statue in Old Town Square. Every time I pass by it now, I am struck with a greater respect for the man, since I know what he fought for and how he was martyred for those beliefs.

I find it very interesting that he is still so beloved among the Czech people, although most of them no longer believe in God. Because of their atheist beliefs, I would think they shouldn’t really understand why Hus did what he did, even unto his death. And for those who still consider themselves Christians, more are Catholics than Hussites! And yet he is still celebrated as a hero; his monument stands in a very prominent place in Old Town Square and one of the Czech national holidays is “Jan Hus Day.”

And his words still ring true for some of them, apparently, because in the Communist Museum I read that Jan Palach’s family began his death notice with a quotation by Jan Hus: “Defend truth unto the death, for the truth will set you free.” Wow. The words of this martyr of old still hold power for his people.

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