Saint’s Skull Stolen from Czech Church

Authorities in the northern Czech Republic are searching for a thief who stole the skull of Saint Zdislava of Lemberk from a basilica late Tuesday.

The suspect reportedly shattered a glass shrine in the Basilica of St Lawrence and St Zdislava in Jablonné v Podještědí to retrieve the relic before fleeing the scene.

Police have released surveillance footage of the perpetrator, who appears to have been dressed in black with white shoes, and are appealing to the public for assistance.

Saint Zdislava, a 13th-century noblewoman celebrated for her devotion to the poor and her charitable works, was canonised by Pope John Paul II in 1995.

The stolen relic has served as a significant site of pilgrimage for over 750 years, attracting visitors to the town where she lived and served.

Church officials and investigators have emphasised that while they are assessing the skull’s monetary value, its historical and spiritual significance is truly incalculable.

Prague Archbishop Stanislav Pribyl described the daytime robbery as “devastating,” expressing disbelief that such a sacred and historic item would be targeted.

The theft has sent shockwaves through the local diocese and the wider religious community, as the skull was considered a cornerstone of the region’s cultural heritage.

As the investigation continues, the focus remains on recovering the relic and restoring it to its place of honour within the side chapel.