Saint Bystrík
Encyclopedia
Saint Bystrík (died 1046) was a martyr
and the bishop
of the diocese
of Nitra
of probably Slavic or Hungarian origin.
, Stephen I, undertook the Christianization
of the Hungarian clans. Bystrík was appointed the bishop of Nitra
, Kingdom of Hungary
(the city is in Slovakia
today) by him around the year 1034.
, Bystrík was murdered during the Vatha pagan rising
of 1046 near the Danube
in present-day Budapest
together with bishop Gerard Sagredo and bishop Buldus (Bőd), who were en route to Budapest
for the coronation
of the future king, Andrew I of Hungary.
On September 24, the bishops were attacked by Vatha's mob, who began stoning
the bishops. Buldus died immediately. Bystrík, together with bishop Beneta, managed to flee on a boat across the Danube
river. Bystrík was mortally wounded by a sword
on the Pest
river bank by the pagans before they could be rescued by the incoming Andrew I. Bystrík died on September 27, on the third day after the attack.
Ladislaus I of Hungary in 1083. The remembrance day of Saint Bystrík falls on September 24. In Hungary
, this day is the day when Saint
Gerard Sagredo
is celebrated together with his co-martyrs, Saint Bystrík and Saint Buldus.
and Hungary
but by Slovak community also in Australia
, Canada
, Italy
, Poland
and the United States
. Saint Bystrík can be seen on fresco
s, on glass windows, on bell
s as well as on painting
s made on wood and fabric.
The oldest picture of him dates back to the times of baroque
and can also be found in the book of the Jesuit Gabriel Hevenesi entitled Ungaricae Sanctitatis Indicia from the year 1692 as Hoffman's copperplate. The beginning of the 20th century is the time when Saint Bystrík's pictures are seen more often and this is the proves how reverence towards him grows in our times.
On September 15, 2006 the first church was devoted to him in Nemce
not far from Banská Bystrica
, Slovakia. Other church dedicted to Saint Bystrík is located in Hajná Nová Ves
. There is Saint Bystrík's House in Čičmany
(both Slovakia).
and all attribute
s that denote the person of a bishop
: cope
, mitre
, crosier
, gloves and ring
of the bishop. In his left hand, apart from the book, he often holds a sword
that is the symbol of the way he died. Sometimes he is portrayed with a boat
, on which he flew across the Danube
river.
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
and the bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of Nitra
Nitra
Nitra is a city in western Slovakia, situated at the foot of Zobor Mountain in the valley of the river Nitra. With a population of about 83,572, it is the fifth largest city in Slovakia. Nitra is also one of the oldest cities in Slovakia and the country's earliest political and cultural center...
of probably Slavic or Hungarian origin.
Bystrík's bishopric
Bystrík lived at the times when the first King of HungaryKing of Hungary
The King of Hungary was the head of state of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1000 to 1918.The style of title "Apostolic King" was confirmed by Pope Clement XIII in 1758 and used afterwards by all the Kings of Hungary, so after this date the kings are referred to as "Apostolic King of...
, Stephen I, undertook the Christianization
Christianization
The historical phenomenon of Christianization is the conversion of individuals to Christianity or the conversion of entire peoples at once...
of the Hungarian clans. Bystrík was appointed the bishop of Nitra
Nitra
Nitra is a city in western Slovakia, situated at the foot of Zobor Mountain in the valley of the river Nitra. With a population of about 83,572, it is the fifth largest city in Slovakia. Nitra is also one of the oldest cities in Slovakia and the country's earliest political and cultural center...
, Kingdom of Hungary
Kingdom of Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
(the city is in Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
today) by him around the year 1034.
Bystrík's martyrdom
According to the Legend Mayor on Gerard SagredoGerard Sagredo
Saint Gerard Sagredo , also called Gerhard or Gellert, was an Italian bishop from Venice who operated in the Kingdom of Hungary , and educated Saint Emeric of Hungary, the son of Saint Stephen of Hungary). He played a major role in converting Hungary to Christianity...
, Bystrík was murdered during the Vatha pagan rising
Vatha pagan rising
The Vata pagan uprising was a Hungarian rebellion which in 1046 brought about the overthrow of King Peter Urseolo, the martyrdom of St. Gellért and the reinstatement of the Árpád dynasty on the Hungarian throne.- Background :...
of 1046 near the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
in present-day Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
together with bishop Gerard Sagredo and bishop Buldus (Bőd), who were en route to Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
for the coronation
Coronation
A coronation is a ceremony marking the formal investiture of a monarch and/or their consort with regal power, usually involving the placement of a crown upon their head and the presentation of other items of regalia...
of the future king, Andrew I of Hungary.
On September 24, the bishops were attacked by Vatha's mob, who began stoning
Stoning
Stoning, or lapidation, is a form of capital punishment whereby a group throws stones at a person until the person dies. No individual among the group can be identified as the one who kills the subject, yet everyone involved plainly bears some degree of moral culpability. This is in contrast to the...
the bishops. Buldus died immediately. Bystrík, together with bishop Beneta, managed to flee on a boat across the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
river. Bystrík was mortally wounded by a sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
on the Pest
Pest (city)
Pest is the eastern, mostly flat part of Budapest, Hungary, comprising about two thirds of the city's territory. It is divided from Buda, the other part of Budapest, by the Danube River. Among its most notable parts are the Inner City, including the Hungarian Parliament, Heroes' Square and...
river bank by the pagans before they could be rescued by the incoming Andrew I. Bystrík died on September 27, on the third day after the attack.
Canonisation
Bystrík was canonised during the reign of KingKing of Hungary
The King of Hungary was the head of state of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1000 to 1918.The style of title "Apostolic King" was confirmed by Pope Clement XIII in 1758 and used afterwards by all the Kings of Hungary, so after this date the kings are referred to as "Apostolic King of...
Ladislaus I of Hungary in 1083. The remembrance day of Saint Bystrík falls on September 24. In Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, this day is the day when Saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
Gerard Sagredo
Gerard Sagredo
Saint Gerard Sagredo , also called Gerhard or Gellert, was an Italian bishop from Venice who operated in the Kingdom of Hungary , and educated Saint Emeric of Hungary, the son of Saint Stephen of Hungary). He played a major role in converting Hungary to Christianity...
is celebrated together with his co-martyrs, Saint Bystrík and Saint Buldus.
Reverence
Reverence for Saint Bystrík is not very widespread, but there are approximately two dozens of his pictures not only throughout SlovakiaSlovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
and Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
but by Slovak community also in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Saint Bystrík can be seen on fresco
Fresco
Fresco is any of several related mural painting types, executed on plaster on walls or ceilings. The word fresco comes from the Greek word affresca which derives from the Latin word for "fresh". Frescoes first developed in the ancient world and continued to be popular through the Renaissance...
s, on glass windows, on bell
Bell (instrument)
A bell is a simple sound-making device. The bell is a percussion instrument and an idiophone. Its form is usually a hollow, cup-shaped object, which resonates upon being struck...
s as well as on painting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
s made on wood and fabric.
The oldest picture of him dates back to the times of baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
and can also be found in the book of the Jesuit Gabriel Hevenesi entitled Ungaricae Sanctitatis Indicia from the year 1692 as Hoffman's copperplate. The beginning of the 20th century is the time when Saint Bystrík's pictures are seen more often and this is the proves how reverence towards him grows in our times.
On September 15, 2006 the first church was devoted to him in Nemce
Nemce
Nemce is a village and municipality in Banská Bystrica District in the Banská Bystrica Region of central Slovakia.-Geography:The municipality lies at an altitude of 410 metres and covers an area of 4.102km². It has a population of about 1,107 people....
not far from Banská Bystrica
Banská Bystrica
Banská Bystrica is a key city in central Slovakia located on the Hron River in a long and wide valley encircled by the mountain chains of the Low Tatras, the Veľká Fatra, and the Kremnica Mountains. With 81,281 inhabitants, Banská Bystrica is the sixth most populous municipality in Slovakia...
, Slovakia. Other church dedicted to Saint Bystrík is located in Hajná Nová Ves
Hajná Nová Ves
Hajná Nová Ves is a municipality in the Topoľčany District of the Nitra Region, Slovakia....
. There is Saint Bystrík's House in Čičmany
Cicmany
Čičmany is a village and municipality in Žilina District in the Žilina Region of northern Slovakia. It is known as the first folk architecture reserve in the world .-History:...
(both Slovakia).
Attributes
Saint Bystrík is portrayed as a bishop with a bookBook
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
and all attribute
Emblem
An emblem is a pictorial image, abstract or representational, that epitomizes a concept — e.g., a moral truth, or an allegory — or that represents a person, such as a king or saint.-Distinction: emblem and symbol:...
s that denote the person of a bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
: cope
Cope
The cope is a liturgical vestment, a very long mantle or cloak, open in front and fastened at the breast with a band or clasp. It may be of any liturgical colour....
, mitre
Mitre
The mitre , also spelled miter, is a type of headwear now known as the traditional, ceremonial head-dress of bishops and certain abbots in the Roman Catholic Church, as well as in the Anglican Communion, some Lutheran churches, and also bishops and certain other clergy in the Eastern Orthodox...
, crosier
Crosier
A crosier is the stylized staff of office carried by high-ranking Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and some Lutheran and Pentecostal prelates...
, gloves and ring
Ring (finger)
A finger ring is a circular band worn as a type of ornamental jewelry around a finger; it is the most common current meaning of the word ring. Other types of metal bands worn as ornaments are also called rings, such as arm rings and neck rings....
of the bishop. In his left hand, apart from the book, he often holds a sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
that is the symbol of the way he died. Sometimes he is portrayed with a boat
Boat
A boat is a watercraft of any size designed to float or plane, to provide passage across water. Usually this water will be inland or in protected coastal areas. However, boats such as the whaleboat were designed to be operated from a ship in an offshore environment. In naval terms, a boat is a...
, on which he flew across the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
river.
Further reading
- Bystrik Bugan: Svätý Bystrík. Bratislava : Lúč, 2007, ISBN 978-80-7114-660-5 (English summary)
- Bystrik Bugan: Biskup Bystrík v slovenských dejinách. In: Historical Volume No. 15, 1/2005 (Ján Bobák ed.) Martin : Matica slovenská, 2005, p. 13-25 ISBN 1335-8723-08 (German summary)