600 years ago: The martyrdom of Jan Hus

On July 6, 1415, Jan Hus entered into the presence of his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ at the age of 45 or 46. Mr. Hus was a Roman Catholic priest who criticized the immorality of Roman Catholic clergy and corrupt practices such as the sale of indulgences. He was condemned as a heretic by the Council of Constance and was burned at the stake.

Mr. Hus was a key predecessor to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, and the Moravian Church traces its roots to him, while July 6 is observed as the public holiday Jan Hus Day in the Czech Republic. The Roman Catholic Church is still at large, and the doctrines that Mr. Hus opposed are still in place.