DEMO - Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord
Statue of Christ
Dominating the interior is a majestic statue of Christ with open arms and a shining heart, surrounded by a flaming halo known as a mandorla. This mandorla—a halo encompassing the entire body—is reserved in Christian iconography exclusively for Christ and the Virgin Mary, symbolizing their sinlessness: Christ, true God and true man, never sinned, while the Virgin Mary was preserved from sin by divine grace. Created in 1934, the statue stands three meters tall, carved from linden wood, partially gilded, and is the work of sculptor Damián Pešan, who also crafted the six additional statues on the front wall.
Church Windows
The church windows, designed by Karel Svolinský, feature repeated symbols of profound meaning: the flaming heart representing Christ’s love, nails recalling His suffering, the phoenix symbolizing resurrection, and motifs of wheat, grapes, and fish. Wheat and grapes represent bread and wine, which during Mass become the Eucharist—Christ’s body and blood. The fish motif was a secret sign of early Christians before Emperor Constantine’s Edict of Milan in 313 legalized Christianity. The Greek word for fish, "Ichthys," is also an acronym for a confession of faith: I = Iésús (Jesus) CH = Christós (Christ) TH = Theú (God’s) Y = Hyios (Son) S = Sótér (Savior)
Pietà
With each freedom taken, responsibility must be acknowledged. Removing Jesus’ lifeless body from the cross is not difficult; returning it to his mother is. How does one face her gaze? How comfort her heart? I, too, have caused her sorrow. I stand humbly beneath the cross, placing all hope in Jesus’ words: “Son, behold your mother. Mother, behold your son.” Such hope alone leads to resurrection. This colored plaster cast Pietà is modeled after Jiří Rückl’s gravestone at Vyšehrad Cemetery by sculptor Hanuš Folkman.
Saint Christopher Statue
Carved from polished Istrian marble by sculptor Bedřich Stefan, Saint Christopher is depicted slightly smaller than life-size, leaning on a staff with the child Jesus seated on his left shoulder. According to legend, Christopher carried Jesus across a turbulent river, symbolizing service, faith, and carrying the world’s burdens.
4th Station: Jesus Meets His Mother
On a path of pain and humiliation, Jesus meets Mary. Their exchanged glance is full of quiet love, compassion, and shared suffering. His mother steadies herself with the support of women beside her, but her heart is broken. The prophecy of Simeon is fulfilled—her soul, too, is pierced by a sword of sorrow. Yet she remains close, faithful to the end.
5th Station: Simon of Cyrene Helps Carry the Cross
Exhausted, Jesus is forced by the soldiers to accept help from Simon of Cyrene, who initially hesitates but then steps forward, placing his shoulder under the heavy cross. Embedded in this scene is the message that Christ’s cross is not solely his own—each of us is invited to carry our part, to share in the burden for the sake of others.
6th Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
Amidst the crowd and violence, Veronica bravely steps forward, offering Jesus a cloth to wipe his face. This small act of compassion holds profound power. Tradition says Jesus’ face was miraculously imprinted onto the cloth, a sign that no act of love goes unnoticed. Veronica teaches that even in darkness, kindness brings light.
7th Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time
Jesus falls again, weakened by pain and the weight of the cross. Soldiers roughly pull and urge him onward, though his body struggles to bear its burden. This second fall highlights how difficult it is to rise repeatedly after experiencing weakness. Yet Jesus does not abandon the path of love; he rises again to fulfill his mission.
8th Station: Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem
Within the crowd, women weep for Jesus—not from hatred or fear but from compassion. Turning to them, Jesus says, "Do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and your children." His words are not rebuke but an invitation to reflection and repentance. Even in his pain, Jesus remains a teacher, focused on others.
9th Station: Jesus Falls the Third Time
Nearly at the end, Jesus’ strength utterly fails him. He falls a third time, completely exhausted. Soldiers mercilessly urge him forward. This fall illustrates extreme human weakness yet the resilience of spirit. Jesus does not give up, rising again from the dust because he knows his sacrifice has purpose. In each step he carries our hope.
10th Station: Jesus is Stripped of His Garments
At Calvary’s summit, soldiers strip Jesus of his clothing. This act wounds his already battered body and robs him of dignity. Jesus stands exposed and humiliated before the world, yet surrendered fully. This moment represents total self-giving—holding nothing back, he gives everything.
11th Station: Jesus is Nailed to the Cross
Lying on the ground, arms stretched wide, Jesus is ready for crucifixion. Soldiers pitilessly drive nails into his hands and feet. The pain is immense, yet he offers no resistance. He silently endures this final insult. Observers watch—some compassionate, others indifferent. Here, the cross becomes an altar of sacrifice from which hope springs forth for all humanity.
Good Shepherd Statue
Bedřich Stefan’s Good Shepherd statue, installed in 1950 on the church façade, portrays Christ declaring: “I am the good shepherd,” a motif tracing back to early Christianity.
Orant Statue
The Orant statue, depicting a praying woman with raised hands—a symbol of the praying Church—was crafted by Bedřich Stefan in 1971.
Madonna Statue
This partially unfinished statue of the Madonna with Child, by sculptor Bedřich Stefan, was placed above the main entrance in 1983, a year after Stefan’s death.
