Czech police are hunting a thief who snatched the 800-year-old skull of a saint from a display box in a church and ran away with the relic. The incident occurred at the Saint Lawrence and Saint Zdislava basilica in Jablonne v Podjestedi, approximately 110 kilometers north of Prague.
Security Footage Captures Suspect
A fuzzy security camera photo released late on Tuesday appears to show a figure dressed in black carrying what police believe is the skull of Saint Zdislava of Lemberk. The suspect was seen running between the benches of the church, making a getaway through the pews.
Police Investigation Underway
“The value of the stolen skull is currently being investigated. However, its historic value is obviously incalculable,” said Dagmar Sochorova, a spokesperson for the police. Authorities initially identified the suspect as a man but later expressed uncertainty, stating they are evaluating additional material from the security camera.
Historical and Spiritual Significance
Saint Zdislava of Lemberk, a noblewoman who lived from 1220 to 1252, was known for her generosity and work for the poor. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1995. The skull was placed on an altar in a side chapel and was revered by pilgrims traveling to Jablonne, where Zdislava lived and worked more than 750 years ago.
Reaction from Church Officials
“This is devastating news,” said Archbishop of Prague Stanislav Pribyl, who also heads the Litomerice diocese overseeing the Jablonne church. “The skull was revered by pilgrims … I cannot believe that someone practically in broad daylight steals from church a relic whose value is above all historical and also spiritual for believers.”
Police continue to search for the suspect, and the case remains under investigation.
