Saint Astrik

Saint Astrik of Pannonhalma (also known as Anastasius, Astericus, Ascrick, Astrissicus) (died c. 1030/1040) is a saint of the 11th century. Radla was a Czech or Croat from Bohemia, who was a monk in Hungary. He probably received the habit at Brevnov, taking the name of Anastasius, of which Astrik is the equivalent. Astrik accompanied Saint Adalbert in the latter's missionary work to the Bohemians and became the first abbot of Břevnov Monastery. When Adalbert failed to consolidate his position in Bohemia, and left Prague, Astrik Radla went to the Kingdom of Hungary to help the missionaries among the Magyars. He first served the wife of Duke Géza, Grand Prince of the Hungarians. In 997 Astrik became the first abbot of the Benedictine abbey of St. Martin's (Pannonhalma Archabbey), the first ecclesiastical institution in Hungary, founded by Géza. He then served Géza's son, Stephen I of Hungary, and became the first archbishop of the Hungarian Church. Astrik served as Stephen's ambassador to Pope Sylvester II. The pope recognized Stephen as King of the Hungarians. Soon after Astrik's return Stephen was crowned by Astrik, with a royal crown sent by Pope Sylvester, granted no doubt at the instance of the Emperor Otto III, in 1001. The Assumption Cathedral of Kalocsa was extensively restored between 1907 and 1912, under the direction of architect Ernő Foerk. Under the sanctuary, a red marble archiepiscopal tomb was excavated in 1910 in the place of the original 11th-century cathedral. In addition to the intact skeleton, a gilded silver-headed crosier, a silver chalice, paten, golden rings, crosses, pallium with three jeweled gold pins, and textile remnants were found. Foerk estimated the age of the grave and thought its 11th-century origin, identified the corpse with Astrik, as the grave laid in the central axis of the first cathedral, a usual resting place for the church founders.