‘Siege of Brno’: Czech Jesuits to consecrate statue of Stredonius to mark ‘miraculous’ 1645 victory

Published: Aug. 14, 2020, 12:05 p.m.

Brno is set on Saturday to consecrate a newly installed statue of the brave 17th century Jesuit priest and “student chaplain” Stredonius. Also known as Martin Středa, he helped defend the city when under siege by Swedish forces in final stage of the Thirty Years’ War. He is also said to have batted nary an eye in battle, and made a miraculous ascent into heaven immediately when the bloody religious conflict finally ended.