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Medieval sermons on St Ludmila by Czech utraquists

Publication at Faculty of Arts |
2021

Abstract

A detailed research of the collections of sermons of Czech Utraquists, especially those written by the founding figure of Utraquist preaching Jakoubek of Stříbro, others as well, show that - at least regarding St Wenceslas and St Ludmila - some constants apply that are then upheld by prominent Utraquist preachers in their sermons. Noticeable is Jan Rokycana's "copying" of Jakoubek of Stříbro and Václav of Dráchov's affinity towards the conservative-leaning Jan Příbram, who was the Bethlehem chapel's warden before him.

Whether the suggested categorization of the Utraquists into two groups according to the warmth of their regard for the veneration of saints is justified can only be decided by further research. So far it seems that Jakoubek of Stříbro and Jan Rokycana were reticent: they celebrated the feast days of saints, but they preferred to give interpretations of the corresponding evangelical and other pericopes, whereas the more conservative-leaning preachers Jan Příbram, Prokop von Pilsen and Václav of Dráchov preferred a more traditional approach.