Czech Police Investigate The Theft of 800-Year-Old Saint's Skull from Basilica

Czech police are on the trail of a thief who brazenly stole the 800-year-old skull of Saint Zdislava from a display box in a church, making a quick getaway with the precious relic. A security camera captured a fuzzy image of a figure cloaked in black, suspected to be the perpetrator, fleeing the scene with the revered skull at the Saint Lawrence and Saint Zdislava basilica in Jablonne v Podjestedi, located about 110 kilometers (68 miles) north of Prague. The theft occurred amidst the daytime, shocking authorities and parishioners alike. Dagmar Sochorova, a police spokesperson, indicated that the investigation into the skull's monetary worth is ongoing, but asserted that its historic significance is beyond measure. Saint Zdislava of Lemberk, a noblewoman who lived from 1220 to 1252, was renowned for her generosity and dedication to the poor. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1995, solidifying her importance in Czech heritage and history. Archbishop of Prague Stanislav Pribyl, who presides over the Litomerice diocese responsible for the Jablonne church, expressed profound dismay at the theft, referring to it as 'devastating news.' The sacred skull, once displayed on an altar in a side chapel, was an object of veneration for many pilgrims journeying to Jablonne, where Saint Zdislava devoted her life to aiding the needy more than 750 years ago. 'I cannot believe that someone would steal from a church a relic that holds immense historical and spiritual value for believers,' Archbishop Pribyl lamented. In the wake of this audacious act, police have released surveillance footage in hopes of identifying the thief. Initially, the suspect was presumed to be male, but authorities are now uncertain and are carefully analyzing camera materials to gather more clues. As the investigation continues, the community remains hopeful that the cherished relic may soon be returned to its rightful place. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2