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THE DAWN OF A NEW THE DAWN OF A NEW DAY IN PRAGUEDAY IN PRAGUE

THE DAWN OF A NEW THE DAWN OF A NEW DAY IN PRAGUEDAY IN PRAGUE

JOHN HUSS (1369-1415)JOHN HUSS (1369-1415)

AND JEROME (1370-1416)AND JEROME (1370-1416)JOHN HUSS (1369-1415)JOHN HUSS (1369-1415)

AND JEROME (1370-1416)AND JEROME (1370-1416)

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John HussJohn HussJohn HussJohn Huss

John Huss was born John Huss was born in Prague, Bohemia in Prague, Bohemia (now the Czech (now the Czech Republic) in 1369. Republic) in 1369. He, like Wycliffe in He, like Wycliffe in England, called for England, called for changes in the changes in the Catholic church.Catholic church.

A new day was A new day was about to dawn in about to dawn in Europe.Europe.

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Prague is a beautiful city Prague is a beautiful city and has a long history. and has a long history.

Prague is a beautiful city Prague is a beautiful city and has a long history. and has a long history.

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The river Vltava flows through it.The river Vltava flows through it.

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IT HAS AN IT HAS AN ASTRONOMICAL ASTRONOMICAL

CLOCK, WHICH WAS CLOCK, WHICH WAS FIRST INSTALLED IN FIRST INSTALLED IN

1410. IT IS THE 1410. IT IS THE THIRD OLDEST THIRD OLDEST CLOCK OF THIS CLOCK OF THIS

TYPE IN THE WORLD TYPE IN THE WORLD AND THE ONLY ONE AND THE ONLY ONE

STILL WORKING.STILL WORKING.

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The four figures flanking the clock are set in motion on the hour and represent four things that were despised when the clock was made. On the left, Vanity is represented by a figure admiring himself in a mirror. Next, a stereotypical Jew holds a bag of gold, representing greed or usury.

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On the other side of the clock stands Death, a skeleton that strikes the time upon the hour. Finally, the Turk stands for pleasure and entertainment.

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In windows above the clock, statues of the In windows above the clock, statues of the

twelve Apostles are presented every hour.twelve Apostles are presented every hour.In windows above the clock, statues of the In windows above the clock, statues of the

twelve Apostles are presented every hour.twelve Apostles are presented every hour.

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The Czech Crown Jewels are the 4th oldest in Europe.The Czech Crown Jewels are the 4th oldest in Europe.

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St. Vitus Cathedral St. Vitus Cathedral is in Prague. Kings is in Prague. Kings entered through entered through the Golden Gate the Golden Gate for coronation for coronation

ceremonies. John ceremonies. John Huss and Jerome Huss and Jerome would have been would have been familiar with this familiar with this

cathedral.cathedral.

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Inside the cathedralInside the cathedral

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Huss and Jerome were residents of Huss and Jerome were residents of Prague. Huss’ parents were poor Prague. Huss’ parents were poor

and Huss supported himself and Huss supported himself through school by singing and through school by singing and

manual services.manual services.

After graduation he taught at the After graduation he taught at the university and began to preach at university and began to preach at the Bethlehem Church in Prague. the Bethlehem Church in Prague.

He copied by hand Wycliffe’s He copied by hand Wycliffe’s writings and shared them with writings and shared them with others. He preached from them others. He preached from them

from the pulpit.from the pulpit.

People listened, and a change was People listened, and a change was beginning--a new day was dawning beginning--a new day was dawning

in Prague.in Prague.

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