This church has an uncommon path, one of bravery and patriotic heart.

First, let’s go back. The church construction was completed in about 1740. It was first a Roman Catholic Church. Later, and for multiple years, the annex was used for retired priests. It was closed in 1783 by the emperor in order to use the space for the army for storage and barracks.  It was again transformed in 1789 into the Czech Technology Center.

The orthodox community was looking for a place to establish in Prague and chose this location.  In 1921, it became the first Orthodox Church in Prague.

In 1942, after months of tough Nazi presence in Prague, an exiled Czech government group resurged in Prague to kill Reinhard Heydrich.  The executioners were   chased and they had found a refuge until a betrayer revealed their hidden spot in the crypt of the Saints Cyril and Methodius Church.  Different methods were used to get to them and it was by flooding that the location came to an end for the seven members who actually committed suicide to avoid being captured.  While considered heroes, their death was not the end of the war. Many innocent souls suspected to have helped the group were captured and sent to concentration camps, tortured and/or killed.

In 1945 the location revived as a church.  A museum under the church is now open and yearly, on June 18, a ceremony commemorates that day of incredible devotion of these patriotic people who defended the citizens.

The National Monument to the Heroes of the Heydrich Terror had atypical hours to visit when we were there. If you wish to visit, validate hours and the day you plan to go.

The church regained the Cathedral appellation in 1995 by the Orthodox community.

For an overview of Prague click here.

For all posts on Prague click here.