Duke of Bohemia, St. Wenceslaus was born about the year 907 and was eighteen years old when he succeeded his father. Without regard for the opposition which he aroused, he did all in his power to hasten the conversion of his country, which was still pagan, helping the German missionaries, himself giving an example of a devout life and of great Christian charity. His brother, Boleslas, however, turned to paganism. One day, having invited Wenceslaus to his house, he struck him down at the door of a church as he was about to go to his prayers. This occurred on September 28, 929. The young Duke of Bohemia, martyred at the age of twenty-two, is the national hero and patron of the Czech Republic.