Jon Hus 존 후스 보헤미야

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Jon Hus (Part 2): One of History's Greatest Betrayals

As we had discussed earlier, the Papal Schism (three competing popes) from 1378 to 1417 was a serious crisis in Europe. The recognized pope in the area of Hus’ Bohemia was Pope John XXIII. The pope was raising funds through indulgence sales to crusade against one of his pope rivals.

It took people like Wycliffe, Hus and Luther to justifiably get outraged by these indulgences. Indulgences took advantage of the people, especially the poor, to fund special papal projects by offering forgiveness of sins through buying an indulgence. A person would usually get a certificate signed by an official stating their sins are forgiven, or some purgatory time is reduced. Hus was excommunicated for his Wycliffite views and speaking out against indulgences.

The Council of Constance (1414-1418) was called to deal with the problem of the three popes, to reform the state of religion and to discuss the problem of heresy. Jon Hus was invited and felt he would have an opportunity address reforming the church, however he was really called in because of his alleged heresy.

Hus left for Constance (in present-day Germany) on October 11, 1414. He was assured of safe passage and was eager to defend his views at the Council.

However, when Hus arrived, he was taken captive and put in chains placed in a dark, damp cell next to a sewer system for several months. When he finally was called to meet the council he was weak and very sick. Hus was not given an opportunity to speak, except to recant his views. Every time Hus tried to defend himself, he was shouted down. "I would not, for a chapel full of gold, recede from the truth,” Hus said.

Hus could not, as the Apostle Paul, appeal to Caesar, but he said, “I appeal to Jesus Christ, the only judge who is almighty and completely just. In his hands I plead my cause, not on the basis of false witnesses and erring councils, but on truth and justice."

On July 6, 1415, Hus was declared guilty of heresy. He was stripped of his priestly garments one by one and a 20-inch cone-shaped “dunce cap” with red devils painted on it was placed on his head. According to Foxes Book of Martyrs, he said, "My Lord Jesus Christ for my sake did wear a crown of thorns; why should not I then for his sake again wear this light crown, be it never so humiliating? Truly I will do it, and that willingly."

After placing it on his head, a bishop declared, "Now we commit thy soul unto the devil." "But I," said Jon Hus, (lifting up his eyes towards the heavens,) "do commit my spirit into thy hands. O Lord Jesus Christ, unto thee I commend my spirit which thou hast redeemed."

In one of history's greatest betrayals, Hus was immediately taken outside to be burned at the stake. Hus smiled and laughed as he passed by his books being burned as he was led toward the post he would be chained to. He prayed and recited the Psalms.

When asked a final time to recant, Hus replied, "God is my witness that the evidence against me is false. I have never thought nor preached except with the one intention of winning men, if possible, from their sins. Today I will gladly die."

As the flames engulfed him, Hus began to sing in Latin a Christian chant: "Christ, Thou Son of the Living God, have mercy upon me." According to Foxe, witnesses “heard him oftentimes in his prayer, with a merry and cheerful countenance."

On December 18, 1999, Pope John Paul II apologized for the execution of Jon Hus.
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