PROCOPIO of SÁZAVA (PROKOP), St. — Born at Chotouni in Bohemia, d. 25 March 1053.
Educated at Vyšehrad in Hungary in the Slav rite, he returned to Bohemia with the purpose of contributing to the spread of Christianity and the preservation of the Slav liturgy in Bohemian lands. At first a canon, he later withdrew among the Benedictines at Prague-Břevnov. Hoping to serve better the cause of the Slav liturgy and the ideals of Methodius, he founded in 1009 or 1032 a village in the valley of the Sázava river, where, with the help of the Duke of Bohemia Olofrich (1012–34), Břetislav (1034–35), and the Bishop of Prague, Šebří (1030–67), the village grew around the church dedicated to St Mary and St John the Baptist, built by the monks of the village. After the death of St P., his work endured, though amid many obstacles, especially from the Latin party, until 1097. P. was canonized by Pope Innocent III on 4 July 1204. Feast, 4 July.