Saint Benedict the Hermit, also known as Saint Beňadik, is the first Slovak martyr, a disciple of St. Andrew-Svorad, and the patron of the Nitra diocese. He spent part of his life in the well-known monastery of Skalka near Trenčín, where he dedicated himself to a strict, ascetic way of life.
An ascetic life, full of pain and self-denial
We have very little information about the early life of this significant Slovak saint, but what is known is his unwavering desire for a spiritual life. A key moment for him was his meeting with St. Svorad, better known as Saint Andrew-Svorad. Svorad was a respected monk who lived a hermit’s life near Nitra.
It is known that his fasting was extremely strict: for three days a week, he ate nothing at all, and he fasted even more strictly during Lent. He slept on sharp thorns and at night put a wooden hoop around his head, to which he attached four stones on four sides, so that they would hit him with every movement. His life, full of humility and strict asceticism, inspired many, including the young Benedict. He became his faithful disciple and followed him into a hermit’s life at Skalka near Trenčín.
The tragic end of the first Slovak martyr
Benedict met his spiritual teacher when Svorad was already an old man. After his death, Benedict decided to continue his legacy in the same place. He lived an ascetic life of self-denial and hard work for three years. In remote caves and forests, he found the ideal place for prayer, meditation, and self-denial.
Unfortunately, his life journey ended in an attack. According to legend, in 1034, bandits took his life. They tied him up and threw his body into the Váh River. Their motive was money – they thought that the monk, who meditated in the forest, was rich. His body was found only later, and it was reportedly uncorrupted even after a year as if he had just recently died. His remains are buried in the Cathedral of St. Emeram in Nitra. The place where he was thrown into the river is marked by a twin-towered church at Malá Skalka, dedicated to both saints – Andrew and Benedict.
Churches in Slovakia dedicated to St. Benedict
After his death, Benedict became a model for many believers. His memory and legacy have lasted for centuries, and today he is the patron of the Nitra diocese. There are also several churches in Slovakia dedicated to St. Benedict.
One of them is the Church of St. Benedict in Hronský Beňadik from the 14th century. In 2019, it was elevated to the status of Basilica Minor by Pope Francis. The basilica is part of the Monastery of St. Benedict, which offers spiritual programs and retreats. People still remember Benedict at the pilgrimage site of Skalka near Trenčín, where you can also see Benedict’s cave.