Brandys n.L.-St. Boleslav, Central Bohemia, Sept 28 (CTK) – Europe should return to its Christian cultural roots at the time it is facing an offensive of Islamic fundamentalism, Czech President Milos Zeman said at the close of the pilgrimage Mass devoted to the legacy of Saint Wenceslas on Wednesday.
In his brief speech, Zeman cited three words, God Is Love, from a memorial to the Kralice Bible, the first complete translation of the Bible from the original languages into Czech made in the 16th century.
He also cited the letter to the Corinthians by Saint Paul, “If do not have love, I am nothing.”
“Let us remind the words at the time the whole of Europe is looking again for its cultural roots, at the time of an offensive by Islamic fundamentalism,” Zeman said.
“Let us try to do our most to return really to the roots,” Zeman said, wishing the faith, hope and love to the present people.
The pilgrimage is held annually in the town where Wenceslas, a prince from the ruling Premyslid dynasty, was murdered by his own brother Boleslav on September 28, 935.
The day is a national holiday in the Czech Republic.
The Roman Catholic Church renewed the tradition of the St Wenceslas national pilgrimage in 2003.
Prague Archbishop Cardinal Dominik Duka stressed that Zeman was celebrating his 72nd birth on Wednesday, on which he congratulated him.
Saint Wenceslas is one of the teachers of European civilisation. Christian values are the best alternative for Europe and the world, the speakers said at the pilgrimage.
Along with Zeman, the pilgrimage was attended by his predecessor Vaclav Klaus, Deputy Prime Minister Pavel Belobradek (Christian Democrats, (KDU-CSL) and Miroslav Kalousek, leader of the opposition TOP 09.
The mass was served by Brno Bishop Vojtech Cikrle and the sermon said by German Cardinal Joachim Meisner.
After the end of the mass, Saint Wenceslas’s skull was put on display in a local church.
