Proč se Podiven nestal zemským patronem

The study focuses on the literary image of Blessed Podiven, the servant of St. Wenceslaus. It follows the development of this character from the first documents in the 10th century until the end of the 18th century; be it in legends, chronicles, hymns, sermons and (selectively) also in iconographic sources. The transformations of the Podiven’s story make a perfect starting point for research on the criteria placed on a saint in the (Early) Middle Ages, after the Council of Trent and in the Enlightenment. The source we rely most on is Kristiánova legenda ‘Kristián’s Legend’. During 14th to 17th century, the legend is expanded of other episodes. In the middle of the 17th century, Bl. Podiven was – along with other patron saints of Bohemia – included in the legend of the Palladium of the Czech Lands. As a murderer and avenger, however, Podiven became a very problematic type of saint and he didn’t become a patron saint of Bohemia.