Kazatelský provoz v Betlémské kapli v dobe Husove

Soukup, Pavel (1976– )

doi:978-83-65880-09-3

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Title: Kazatelský provoz v Betlémské kapli v dobe Husove

Abstract:

This article attempts to resolve two questions connected with the Bethlehem Chapel in the first decade of the fifteenth century: how often sermons were preached and who delivered them. The Chapel’s foundation charter from 1391 envisaged two preachers benefices. The one reserved for the rector was occupied successively by John Protiva, Stephen of Kolín, and, from 1402, Jan Hus. Appointing a second preacher proved to be a problem, as the candidate, John Štěkna, was apparently never confirmed by the archbishopric. Nevertheless, Štěkna may have occasionally preached at Bethlehem as a visiting preacher, much like Andrew of Brod, probably in the 1390s. Stephen Páleč was appointed second preacher in 1409 but most likely, never assumed that office. Thus, as late as 1411, Nicholas of Miličín became second preacher of the Bethlehem Chapel. Even after that date, however, the bulk of Bethlehem sermons were delivered by Jan Hus. Two sorts of documents shed light on the frequency of preaching at Bethlehem Chapel: the normative texts (deeds), and sermon collections. The foundation charter imposed on the rector the duty of preaching two sermons each Sunday and on normal feast days, and one sermon on every day of Advent and Lent. Other sources indicate this amounted to 246 to 263 sermons a year. Some historians understand the agreement made between Jan Hus and the local parish priest in 1403 to suggest daily preaching at Bethlehem; the evidence, however, does not support this interpretation. Surviving sermon collections of Jan Hus reflect his live preaching to various degrees. Some of them are model collections, others are closer to documentary materials. In total, Hus collected preaching materials for 171 different days, with a cumulative yearly maximum of 340 sermons. In fact, he preached less than that, as suggested by his 1411 collection, which contains 278 sermons. During his time at Bethlehem Chapel between 1402 and 1412, Hus might have preached ca. 3000 sermons. The frequency of preaching at Bethlehem in that time was much higher than in ordinary parish churches and certainly equalled the number of sermons given in specialised mendicant churches.