An 800-year-old skull believed to belong to Saint Zdislava of Lemberk has been stolen from a church in the Czech Republic, sparking concern among religious communities and authorities.
According to police, the incident occurred in a remote area near Prague when an unidentified individual entered the church and took the historic relic from a display case.
Authorities have released blurry surveillance footage showing a person dressed in black running between benches while holding an object. Investigators believe the item seen in the footage is the stolen skull.
The church is located in the region of Jablonné v Podještědí, approximately 110 kilometers north of Prague.
Historical records show that Saint Zdislava lived between 1220 and 1252 and was widely known for her charity and dedication to helping the poor. She was formally recognized among significant religious figures in 1995 by Pope John Paul II.
Stanisław Přibyl, Archbishop of Prague, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating that the relic held immense spiritual and historical value for visitors and worshippers.
Initially, police described the suspect as a male, but later clarified that the individual’s identity remains uncertain and could also be female. Authorities are currently analyzing security footage to identify the suspect.
