BIO:John Huss

1369-1415
Bohemian reformer. John Huss was ordained to the priesthood 
of the Roman Catholic Church in 1401, after receiving the 
bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Prague. 
He became a powerful preacher of Roman doctrine, until he be-
gan to translate some of the sermons of John Wycliffe into 
the Bohemian language. These sermons moved him to cry out for 
reform in the Church, and a return to the authority of the 
Scriptures as the sole source of faith and doctrine for the 
Christian.
        He at once was branded a heretic, excommunicated, and 
his writings were suppressed. He found refuge outside of 
Prague, where he continued to preach, write, and study. The 
chief product of his pen concerning the Church developed the 
Wycliffe teachings concerning the universal priesthood of all 
believers, stating in no uncertain terms that Christ is the 
only Head of the church.
        In 1414 he was promised safe conduct by the Pope and 
the Emperor Sigismund to the Council of Constance to present 
his views. Instead of hearing him, the Council had him ar-
rested, gave him a mock trial without the benefit of an advo-
cate, and condemned him to death as a heretic. He was kept in 
prison for seven months before he was brought forth to be 
burned. As Huss stood before the stake he said, "In the truth 
of the Gospel which I have written, taught, and preached, I 
die willingly and joyfully today." Then the fire was kindled, 
and as the red tongues of flame driven by the wind from the 
Lake of Boden rose high around the body of the martyr, Huss 
sang, "Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, have mercy on 
me."
        The Pope dismissed his own broken promise of safe 
conduct to Huss with, "When dealing with heretics, one is not 
obligated to keep his word."

ARTIST'S NOTE: Coming events cast their shadow. The somber 
grays and greens portray the life and death of a man who did 
not see success in his lifetime.

Ruckman '67
