TheChristianization of Bohemia refers to the spread of theChristian religion in the lands of medievalBohemia.[1] As in many other countries, Christianity was related to the establishment of a new state (first theDuchy of Bohemia, later theKingdom of Bohemia), and was implemented from the top down.[1]
According toAnnales Fuldenses 14 Bohemian dukes were christianized inRegensburg in 845.[2] The process continued with the conversion ofBořivoj I, Duke of Bohemia, the founder of thePřemyslid dynasty, in 884.[1] It was an outgrowth of theChristianization of Moravia, traditionally attributed to the Byzantine missionaries,Saints Cyril and Methodius, in 863.[3] At first, the Christian rite in Bohemia was the Slavic one of theEastern Orthodox Church, but it was soon replaced by theRoman Catholic rite, introduced due to Western influences, and also tensions between theBohemians and theMoravians.[1][4] In 895,Prague became part of theBavarianRoman Catholic Diocese of Regensburg.[1] In 973 abishopric was established in Prague.[4][5]
By the 10th century, several native saints emerged in Bohemia: SaintLudmila of Bohemia (wife of Bořivoj I), their grandsonSaint Wenceslas and SaintAdalbert, Bishop of Prague.[6] Saint Wenceslas is said to have completed the Christianization of Bohemia in the early 10th century, shortly before his assassination in 935 by his own brother,Boleslav the Cruel.[3] Boleslav's daughter,Dobrawa of Bohemia, marriedMieszko I of Poland, and became instrumental in converting him, his court, andPoland itself to the Christian religion.[7][8]
By the early 11th century, Bohemia gained an upper hand over Moravia, which was annexed to Bohemia.[4] Moravians were allowed to practice theirSlavicEastern Orthodox rites, but eventually they were replaced by Franco-Latin Catholic practices.[1] Aparish network was created around the 13th century.[1]