history of the holiday
In Russia, the holiday of writing was first officially celebrated in 1863, when a resolution was adopted to honor the memory of Saints Cyril and Methodius on May 24. Official status received in 1991. Today is the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture - the only holiday in the Russian Federation that combines secular and religious events.
Brothers Cyril and Methodius were born into a noble family of a Byzantine military leader. Both were literate and educated people of their time. The elder brother Methodius devoted himself to military affairs at the beginning of his life, but his humanitarian inclinations and thirst for knowledge led him to the monastery. The youngest of the brothers, Kirill, was distinguished by philological inclinations from childhood. He determined for himself the path of enlightenment and purposefully walked towards it. Having received the priesthood, he conducted library activities at the Hagia Sophia and taught philosophical sciences.
The brothers' merit lies in the fact that they created the Slavic alphabet and developed a methodology for Slavic phrases. They translated several holy books, which contributed to the conduct and dissemination of worship in a language understandable to the Slavs.
Cyril and Methodius had deep knowledge of Greek and Eastern cultures. Summarizing their experience in the field of writing, the brothers created the first Slavic alphabet based on Slavic writings. It became a great impetus for the development of culture and education in the Slavic states. Writing made it possible to develop Russian bookmaking and literature.
The significance of the contribution of the enlightenment brothers to the dissemination of writing, and with it religious knowledge, was highly appreciated by church ministers. The brothers received the status of saints after their death and their own holiday.
Day of Slavic Literature and Culture
Every year on May 24 the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture is celebrated. The origin of the holiday is inseparably connected with the memory of the creators of the Cyrillic alphabet - the Equal-to-the-Apostles brothers Cyril and Methodius. They were born into a noble and pious family in Thessalonica.
The elder brother Methodius chose the military field. After 10 years of service, he became a monk and then became abbot of a monastery in Bithynia. Kirill was interested in science from an early age and studied languages. After completing his studies, he received the rank of priest, taught philosophy in Constantinople, and later moved to Methodius’s monastery, where he read a lot.
The reason for the creation of a new written language was the request of the Moravian prince Rostislav to send teachers to him so that they could preach in the native language of his subjects. These were times when the Slavic peoples were just emerging onto the historical stage and needed convincing sermons and public worship. In 863, the brothers began to create a new alphabet.
They significantly change the Greek alphabet and try to more accurately convey Slavic sounds. Using the new script, they translate books, texts from the Gospel, psalters, and chants for liturgies. As soon as the word of God sounded in the Slavic language, the need for local clergy immediately arose, so the most worthy were prepared for ordination.
Listening to the texts of the Holy Scriptures in their native language, people began to accept Christianity, and with it writing. Having inherited their own alphabet, the culture and spirituality of the Slavic countries experienced an unprecedented rise. The Church deeply honors the memory of the brothers. Already in the 11th century, May 11 was declared the day of remembrance of Saints Cyril and Methodius, and when science and enlightenment flourished, this day became a holiday of Slavic writing.
In Rus', the custom of remembering Cyril and Methodius developed a long time ago, but at the state level the holiday was approved only in 1863, almost 1,000 years after the introduction of the Cyrillic alphabet. In Soviet times, they completely forgot about it. But on May 24, 1986, several events dedicated to Writing Day were held in Murmansk. In 1991, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR legalized the holiday as the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture.
Now in Russia the holiday is celebrated by both the church and the secular community. Along with memorable services, processions and pilgrimages to monasteries, presentations, literary readings, exhibitions and festive concerts are organized. For the contribution of Saints Cyril and Methodius to the culture of Europe, Pope John Paul II in 1980 declared them patrons of the Old Continent.
Cyril and Methodius
Brothers Cyril (known in the world as Constantine) and Methodius (Michael) were born in Byzantium, in Thessaloniki (Thessaloniki) in the 9th century. Two languages were spoken in the city - Greek and Slavic dialect, so the brothers communicated freely in both.
The image on the icon of St. Cyril and Methodius
The brothers received a good education. Methodius initially made a career as a military leader, reaching the post of strategist (commander-in-chief of the army), but then became a monk. Kirill immediately followed the academic path. According to his biography, he studied in Constantinople, along with the emperor. His mentors were the best scientific minds of that time. After completing his studies, Cyril (then still Konstantin) followed the path of worship; he entered the service as a “reader of the Patriarch” Photius (actually a secretary). But at some point he unexpectedly left his service and went to a monastery. Six months later, the patriarch's envoys found him in the monastery and begged him to return to Constantinople. In the capital, he began teaching philosophy at the university (from that time on he was called “Constantine the Philosopher”).
How it all began?
The history of the holiday “Day of Slavic Literature and Culture” goes back to the distant tenth (according to some sources - the eleventh) century of the new era. In general, this day was then called the Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius, who became the authors of the alphabet. They gave people writing.
In Rus', the “Day of Slavic Culture and Literature,” or rather the Day of Cyril and Methodius, was forgotten for some time, but was remembered again in 1863. The date was proposed: May 11 (now, according to the new style, it is May 24). But a little more than a hundred years later, a large-scale resumption of the celebration of the Day of Remembrance of these saints began. This was due to the round date - 1100 years have passed since the death of Methodius. In 1986, the Festival of Writing was held for the first time in the city of Murmansk. Five years later, a special Decree was issued by the authorities in force at that time. It stated that now every year a holiday called “Day of Slavic Literature and Culture” would be held. Moreover, it was noted that the Russian Orthodox Church will take direct part in it. And this is not surprising, because Cyril and Methodius are canonized.
Then every year a city was chosen to become the center of the holiday. The main cultural events took place there. This state of affairs continues to this day.
How is everything going today?
Days of Slavic culture and literature are not held according to one standardized plan, they are always different, always interesting and lively. There is also a place for discussion of pressing problems, in which cultural figures - poets, writers and others - take part.
When about, scientific meetings and forums, festivals and exhibitions, as well as fairs and concerts are held in Russia. Such a cultural explosion awakens in the hearts of people true love for their people, their language, and pride in them. Of course, they do not forget to remember the brothers who gave people writing. The “Day of Slavic Culture” itself is intended to unite and preserve the cultural heritage that we inherited from our ancestors. And this is certainly very important. The holiday reminds all Slavic countries of the unity of their origin, of their ancestors.
But the meaning and significance of this day exists not only for each individual country, but also for each person individually. After all, we all speak and write in Slavic! Our ancestors, our parents, our teachers spoke and wrote in it! But language and writing are the basis, the basis for culture and art. That is why we must not only protect our Slavic culture, but also educate it in our children. Agree that we have something to be proud of! It’s not for nothing that the works of Slavic writers and poets are famous for such insight, such bewitching and incredibly beautiful turns of speech! Reading their books is a pleasure. Therefore, let's love and respect our writing, our Slavic culture. She has given and continues to give us a lot!
The Day of Slavic Literature and Culture falls on May 24 - the day of church commemoration of two saints - Cyril and Methodius. To these Greek brothers who lived back in the 9th century, every Russian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Ukrainian and Belarusian owes the fact that they are in a single cultural and religious field. They created more than a universal Slavic writing. Cyril and Methodius can be confidently called the creators of the civilizational phenomenon of the southern and eastern Slavs in the Christian understanding of the word.
XI century. Europe is literally boiling in a cauldron of political, cultural and religious events. And in the Greek Thessaloniki, seven brothers grow up in a patrician family, two of whom went down in history: Cyril and Methodius. Saint Methodius at the age of 16 became an officer and was sent to one of the Bulgarian principalities subordinate to Byzantium. Apparently, during his years of service there, he perfectly mastered the Slavic language and its Bulgarian dialect. It is interesting that after serving in the army for 12 years, Methodius left military service in order to become a soldier of Christ - a monk, and settled on Mount Olympus.
His elder brother Constantine, from an early age, was distinguished by great abilities and studied together with the young Emperor Michael from the best teachers of Constantinople, including the future Patriarch Photius. In the capital of Byzantium, a full-fledged University already existed for 500 years - the successor of the Athens Academy. Saint Constantine perfectly comprehended all the sciences of his time and many languages, and for his intelligence he received the nickname Philosopher (wise). A spiritual career awaited him.
Upon completion of his studies, Constantine accepted the priesthood and was appointed custodian of the Patriarchal Library at the Church of St. Sophia. And this is no less than one hundred thousand volumes and scrolls.
But after a couple of years, Konstantin, following the example of his brother, decided that a vain life was not for him, left the capital and secretly went to a monastery. A person with outstanding abilities is more valuable than gold. Therefore, the fugitive was found, returned to Constantinople and appointed as a teacher of philosophy and rhetoric at the highest school in Constantinople. In this capacity, he had to speak in a public debate with the iconoclast leader Ananias. The latter was smashed to smithereens by a young philosophy teacher, and a large group of secret iconoclasts joined Orthodoxy. So the church professor became a diplomat. And such success was immediately noticed by the government. After this victory, Constantine was sent by the emperor to Baghdad to debate the Holy Trinity with the Muslims. The parties exchanged opinions in an extremely delicate manner, and like learned people, they uttered a bunch of compliments to each other. Relations with the caliphate immediately improved. Why should smart people fight when they can come to an agreement?
Having returned, Saint Constantine retired to his brother, Saint Methodius on Olympus, spending time in unceasing prayer and reading the works of the holy fathers. But soon the Byzantine emperor summoned both holy brothers from the monastery and sent them on a diplomatic mission to Khazaria. The reason was that the Khazar Kaganate used to hire troops in Byzantium or Rus', and in the event of the defeat of the hired military contingent, to completely exterminate the soldiers who returned with defeat. Historians know nothing about the Russians, but the ambassadors saved their Byzantines from execution.
On the way to Khazaria they stopped for some time in the city of Korsun. The Byzantine authorities needed to somehow urgently improve relations with Rome. And somewhere in this port city were the sacred remains of one of the Popes, exiled to this extreme northern province for disobedience to the emperor. The brothers carried out the necessary investigation and miraculously found the relics of the Hieromartyr Clement, Pope of Rome (November 25). It is interesting that there in Korsun Saint Constantine actively took up Slavic philology.
They found the Gospel and the Psalter, written in “Russian letters,” and a man speaking Russian. He began to learn from this man to read and speak his language.
After this, the holy brothers went to the Khazars, where they defended the opportunity to have an Orthodox temple in the capital of the Judaizing Khazar Kaganate, the city of Itil. On the way home, the brothers again visited Korsun and, taking the relics of Saint Clement there, returned to Constantinople. The diplomatic mission was carried out brilliantly.
Saint Constantine remained in the capital, continuing to study Slavic dialects, and Saint Methodius received abbot in the small monastery of Polychron not far from Mount Olympus, where he had previously labored. Constantine's passion and Methodius's knowledge of various dialects of the Slavic language turned out to be in great demand. Moreover, a special circle for the study of Slavic dialects arose around them. After the brothers' year-long vacation, ambassadors from the Moravian prince Rostislav, oppressed by the German bishops, arrived in the capital of the empire with a request to send teachers to Moravia who could preach in the native language of the Slavs. The emperor summoned Saint Constantine. Byzantine chroniclers reported the emperor’s true words: “You need to go there, because no one will do it better than you.”
The difficulty of the situation was that Moravia was legally subordinate to Rome, and the local princes and the Byzantine emperor tried to remove this territory from this subordination.
The trip was preceded by careful preparation. With the help of his brother Saint Methodius and the disciples Gorazd, Clement, Savva, Naum and Angelar, Constantine compiled the Slavic alphabet and translated into Slavic the books without which the Divine service could not be performed: the Gospel, the Apostle, the Psalter and selected services. It was not just a matter of translating liturgical texts into the Moravian dialect of the Slavic language. The brothers found a universal “key” to all Slavic dialects. They created a special universal language of the Book, which - with little effort - could be understood by all the peoples of the Slavic area from the Vistula to the Dnieper. In fact, this can be called the birth of the Church Slavonic language. I repeat that this was not a colloquial language - how many dialects do Polans, Drevlyans, Slovenians, Krivichi and Moravians have?
It was a bookish language, in which all Slavs understood divine services, the Bible and other literature perfectly. You need to know the year of this event - 863. Year of birth of universal Slavic writing.
Upon arrival in Moravia, Constantine and Methodius were treated kindly by the local authorities and developed vigorous activity. They not only opened churches in which services were conducted in understandable Slavic language, but also schools attached to them. This aroused the anger of the German bishops, who had been celebrating services in Latin in Moravian churches for a hundred years. They rebelled against the holy brothers, arguing that worship could only be performed in one of three languages: Hebrew, Greek or Latin. Saint Constantine answered them: “You recognize only three languages worthy of glorifying God in them. But David cries: Sing to the Lord, all the earth, praise the Lord, all nations, let every breath praise the Lord! And the Holy Gospel says: Go and learn all languages...” The German bishops were disgraced, but became even more embittered and filed a complaint to Rome, appealing that Moravia was the canonical territory of the Roman Church.
The brothers were sent to Rome literally in shackles. The German episcopate did not take into account only one fact. With them, Constantine and Methodius carried the relics of Pope Clement, who was revered by the Western Church as a saint and martyr. Having learned that the holy brothers were carrying holy relics with them, Pope Adrian immediately ordered the brothers to be released from their bonds, and he himself went out to meet them in a solemn procession with the clergy. The trial and shame turned into triumph. The holy brothers were greeted with honor, the Pope approved divine services in the Slavic language, he “gave a scolding” to the German bishops, and ordered the books translated by the brothers to be placed in Roman churches and the liturgy to be celebrated in the Slavic language.
Already in Rome, Saint Constantine fell ill from the unrest he had experienced, and in a miraculous vision, informed by the Lord of his approaching death, he accepted the schema with the name Cyril. 50 days after accepting the schema, on February 14, 869, Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril died at the age of 42. Going to God, Saint Cyril commanded his brother Methodius to continue their common cause - the enlightenment of the Slavic peoples with the light of the true faith.
Saint Methodius begged the Pope to allow his brother's body to be taken away for burial in his native land, but the Pope ordered the relics of Saint Cyril to be placed in the church of Saint Clement, where miracles began to be performed from them. So they still rest there.
After the death of Saint Cyril, the Pope, following the request of the Slavic prince Kocel, sent Saint Methodius to Pannonia, ordaining him Archbishop of Moravia and Pannonia, to the ancient throne of Saint Andronicus the Apostle. In Pannonia, Saint Methodius, together with his disciples, continued to open churches and schools, spread worship, writing and books in the Slavic language. This again angered the German bishops. They achieved the arrest and trial of Saint Methodius, who was exiled to prison in Swabia, where he endured much suffering for two and a half years. Released by order of Pope John VIII and restored to his rights as an archbishop, Methodius continued his evangelical preaching among the Slavs and baptized the Czech prince Borivoj and his wife Lyudmila (September 16), as well as one of the Polish princes. For the third time, German bishops launched a persecution against the saint for not accepting the Roman teaching about the procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father and from the Son. Saint Methodius was once again summoned to Rome, but justified himself before the Pope, preserving the purity of the Orthodox teaching, and was again returned to the capital of Moravia - Velehrad.
Here, in the last years of his life, Saint Methodius, with the help of two disciple-priests, translated the entire Old Testament into Slavic, except for the Maccabean books, as well as the Nomocanon (Rules of the Holy Fathers) and the patristic books (Paterikon). By this time, Slavic writing had become so widespread that even official treaties between Byzantium and the Slavs were written in two languages: Greek and Slavic. From Moravia and the Czech Republic, worship and books in the Slavic language migrated to Serbia and Bulgaria. And from Bulgaria - to us, to Rus'.
Anticipating the approach of his death, Saint Methodius pointed to one of his disciples - Gorazd - as a worthy successor. The saint predicted the day of his death and died on April 6, 885 at the age of about 60 years. The funeral service for the saint was performed in three languages - Slavic, Greek and Latin; he was buried in the cathedral church of Velehrad.
The significance of the work of Cyril and Methodius is enormous. Thanks to a common written language, scattered Slavic tribes found themselves in a single cultural space for a thousand years. It is thanks to the language reform that Serbs and Russians, Belarusians and Bulgarians, Ukrainians and Slovenes are still brothers. We are all heirs to one culture, one written language and one faith, one worship and one feeling, which is difficult to define in words. No matter how the borders change, and no matter how politicians try to quarrel us, we are all brothers. Brothers in faith, language and culture. And this Slavic brotherhood, Slavic unity is aimed at the future. Brothers-enlighteners, Saints Cyril and Methodius! Low bow to you for this!
Alexander Ilyinsky
The birth of the Slavic alphabet
In 856, Constantine went to the monastery, where his elder brother Methodius served as abbot. Three of his students went with Constantine - Angelarius, Naum and Clement. In the monastery, among this group of people, the idea of creating a new alphabet - the Slavic alphabet - arose.
In 862, ambassadors from the Moravian Principality (an Old Slavic state in Eastern Europe) arrived in Constantinople with a request to send them a mentor and a bishop. The Emperor called Cyril and asked him to go to Moravia. Kirill agreed and went there with his brother and students. There, like-minded people created the first Slavic alphabet. The main church books were translated into Bulgarian and recorded.
The first Slavic alphabet was called Glagolitic . It included 38 letters. The Cyrillic alphabet was created not by Cyril and Methodius, but by their student Clement of Ohrid .
However, a number of researchers question the authorship of Cyril and Methodius in relation to the Slavic alphabets.
Holiday in modern Russia
On this day, thematic events, forums and quest programs are held in many educational institutions throughout the country, in libraries and museums. Festivals and exhibitions, scientific conferences are held. The holiday is widely celebrated not only in Russia, but also in Bulgaria, Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova. It reminds us of the importance of developing intercultural and interethnic dialogue, of the need to quickly overcome the harmful disunity in the modern world.
Many centuries ago, Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius left us the greatest gift as a legacy - a single Slavic alphabet. The importance of this inexhaustible source of knowledge and wisdom cannot be overestimated. The historical, political, and spiritual unity of the Slavs is based precisely on a common written language, which gave a powerful impetus to the enlightenment and development of peoples, including the Russian.
When, how and who celebrates this day
May 24 in Russia is a special, state-church holiday. As a rule, it is carried out by public organizations together with the Russian Orthodox Church. Congratulations are accepted by everyone involved in typography, studying or teaching the Russian language, writing books or poetry:
- writers;
- journalists;
- teachers of Russian language and literature;
- students of philological faculties;
- literary scholars;
- linguists;
- publishers;
- reactors.
And in general, this holiday is celebrated by everyone who knows Russian, writes and reads it. And, of course, this holiday is celebrated by the church.
Usually on such a day, folklore compositions are ordered from the radio, and homemade cards are brought as a gift, in which poems or prose sketches about the holy brothers are written by hand.
According to tradition, holiday services and religious processions are held in all cathedrals, and pilgrimage missions to various churches are organized for children. This will be the case in 2021.
In secular public life, the holiday is revealed through general scientific and practical conferences, expositions, and performances. Writers come to bookstores to present a new book. The International Scientific Conference “Slavic World: Community and Diversity” is held annually.
Until 2009, they chose a specific city in the Russian Federation in which this holiday would be the most colorful and vibrant. In 1991 it was held in Smolensk, and the last one was Saratov. Since 2010, it was decided to hold the days of Slavic writing in Moscow (decree of 2009).
In the video, Cyril and Methodius Day, May 24, 2021, gala concert on Red Square:
Traditions.
Although the current interpretation of the holiday in Russia does not have a long history, the brothers Cyril and Methodius are among the most revered saints in the Russian Orthodox Church. They are called Slovenian teachers (in this case we do not mean the state of Slovenia or an ethnic group with an identical name. All Slavs were called Slovenes in the Old Russian dialect).
On the morning of May 24, the Patriarch of All Rus' addresses the flock with a welcoming speech. Immediately after, as has been customary for centuries, special solemn liturgies are held in honor of the Equal-to-the-Apostles brothers in all churches of the “Russian World”.
In addition to the religious part, the holiday has an extensive purely secular cultural theme.
Moscow and St. Petersburg traditionally become the center of celebrations in Russia. Around noon, the highest leaders of the state make ceremonial speeches and give the official start to all events.
May 24 is the time of major festivals, song and dance competitions. For this event, many films and books are published, international philological symposiums, various thematic lectures and flash mobs are held. The majority of media airtime is devoted to historical and cultural topics. In large cities, mass celebrations with a competitive and entertainment program are organized.
A good recent tradition has been the performance of children's choirs at the festival. They usually perform church hymns and folk songs. But also in their repertoire you can sometimes hear military folklore and modern hits (which are not a shame to sing in such an environment).
Doubts about authorship
Even schoolchildren know that the modern Russian alphabet was invented by Greek saints. The opinion was firmly established about the lack of writing among the ancient Slavs, before the arrival of the monks Cyril, in the world of Constantine, and Methodius in Great Moravia. The main source of information about the invention of writing is considered to be the Christian description of the life of the brothers. And no one pays attention to the fact that they preached the Word of God, and did not impose Greek writing on the southwestern Slavs.
On contradictions in the lives of saints
The Equal-to-the-Apostles brothers lived in the 9th century. Around 860, Constantine was sent by the Byzantine emperor to Khazaria to explain the “true faith.” Methodius went with him. The success of the mission is doubtful among historians, but the creed claims that the Jews who ruled the Kaganate were enlightened. True, according to L. Gumilyov, they continued to profess Judaism until the fall of the state at the hands of the pagan Russians.
Two years later the brothers went to Moravia. Before leaving, they prayed, and “the Slavic alphabet was revealed to them.” For 40 months they preached among the Slavs in their language. As follows from the sacred texts, they did not invent the alphabet. By “discovery” we mean learning the Slavic language. Previously, for the Khazar mission, the brothers studied Aramaic, a language used in the Middle East by Jews and Arabs. But no one claims that it was they who invented the Hebrew alphabet.
There is an opposite opinion regarding the Glagolitic and Cyrillic alphabets. Before the Byzantine saints, the Slavs did not have a written language. Therefore, the unofficial patent for its invention remains with the Greeks. Yes, and they were already familiar with the Christian faith in Kyiv. The Kyiv princes Dir and Askold, being contemporaries of Methodius and Constantine, professed Orthodoxy.
Mysterious Glagolitic
The Cyrillic alphabet is based on the Greek alphabet, the ancestor of which is considered to be Phoenician writing. If you look at the comparative table of the two languages, you can see that the Greeks did not use maximum imagination to change the letters of the Phoenician script. They turned the letters 90-180 degrees, slightly changing their names. Thus was born the Greek writing system, consisting of 24 letters. For a richer ancient Slavic speech, Kirill would have to add 20 more letters. We can assume that he invented them. But one can put forward a version that the Cyrillic letter came into use among the Slavs due to trade and diplomatic relations with Byzantium.
The Glagolitic alphabet is also considered the invention of Cyril. But the letters of Glagolitic writing are radically different from Greek. They are absolutely unique. Glagolitic contains 40 characters that are not similar to any of the languages of the Ancient World. It was widespread among the Slavs in the 11th-13th centuries. Earlier written sources have not survived. But this does not mean that the Glagolitic alphabet did not exist in earlier periods, before the Cyril and Methodius era. Assuming that Glagolitic writing was invented by Kirill, a reasonable question arises: for what? Why, having invented one, invent a second, more complex alphabet? The answer is simple: I didn’t invent it.
Glagolitic is a native Slavic alphabet, with the Old Russian names of the letters: Az, beeches, lead, verbs, good, is...
“I know letters; the word is good..."
Equal to the Apostles Methodius and Cyril, Slovenian teachers. Orthodox calendar for May 24
Main church holidays, days of remembrance of saints and Orthodox shrines of today
May 24 (May 11 according to the “old style” - the church Julian calendar). 6th week of Easter, about the blind man (the sixth Sunday after the Holy Resurrection of Christ, dedicated to the story of Christ’s healing of the blind). There is no post . Today the Russian Orthodox Church commemorates 10 Christian saints, known by name. Next we will briefly talk about them.
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Equal to the Apostles Cyril and Methodius, Slovenian teachers . “In Christ there is neither Greek nor Jew” - this apostolic truth is interpreted in different ways today. But it is important for Orthodox Christians to know: the Church of Christ has never denied the rights of peoples to identity, traditions and the opportunity to pray in their native language. So, for us this was expressed back in the 9th century from the Nativity of Christ, when the holy brothers Methodius and Cyril brought the Light of the Gospel to the Slavic lands.
Equal to the Apostles Cyril and Methodius, Slovenian teachers. Photo: pravoslavie.ru
From the Lives of these great ascetics the following is known:
Brothers Cyril and Methodius came from the Greek city of Thessaloniki. Their path to educational service was different, but in the middle of the 9th century from the Nativity of Christ, both accepted monasticism and holy orders, and in 863, at the request of the Moravian prince Rostislav, they were sent from Constantinople on a spiritual mission to the Slavic lands. Where they translated the books of the Holy Scriptures and trained local clergy to perform divine services in Slavic. And Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril also created the first Slavic alphabet - the Glagolitic alphabet...
Slovenian Teachers: May 24 - the memory of Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius
The memory of the Thessalonica brothers has always been sacredly preserved in the Slavic lands. However, in the Russian Church not many shrines were dedicated to them. Therefore, the fact that, as part of the program for the construction of new churches in Moscow, the majestic Church of Equal-to-the-Apostles Methodius and Cyril on Dubrovka was one of the first to be consecrated, was a return of debt to our enlighteners. And today, the day of Equal-to-the-Apostles Methodius and Cyril in Russia is not only a state holiday - the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture , but also a very important church celebration - the name day of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill . Whose primatial ministry is a continuation of the work of the holy teachers of Slovenia.
Also on the same day as these great saints, the memory of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Rostislav the Great Moravian, .
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Venerable David of Gareji . One of the most famous Georgian saints, revered not only in Georgia, but also in other countries of the Orthodox world, including Russia, a saint of God who performed his monastic spiritual deeds in the 6th century after the Nativity of Christ. The monastery of St. David is widely known, located on the border of two modern fragments of the former Orthodox empire - Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Hieromartyr Mokiy of Amphipolis . An early Christian sufferer who accepted torture and the crown of martyrdom for preaching the Word of God and calls not to worship idols during the period of pagan anti-church persecution of the emperor Diocletian (Diocletian), who reigned in the Roman Empire in 284-305 from the Nativity of Christ. Saint Mokius was executed around 295 .
Hieromartyr Mokiy of Amphipolis.. Photo: pravoslavie.ru
Venerable Sophrony, recluse of Pechersk . Russian saint of the 13th century , who performed monastic spiritual deeds in the Far (Feodosiev) caves of the very first Russian monastery - the Holy Dormition Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. It is known that Elder Sophrony wore a hair shirt and a heavy iron belt, and also read the Psalter in full every day.
Saint Nicodemus, Archbishop of Serbia . Saint of the Serbian Orthodox Church, abbot of the Athonite Hilendar (Khilandar) monastery, who took the rank of bishop in 1316 from the Nativity of Christ. He became famous for the fact that in 1319 he translated the liturgical Jerusalem Rule (Typikon) into Slavic and introduced it into use in Serbia. He passed away to the Lord in 1325 .
Saint Nicodemus, Archbishop of Serbia. Photo: pravoslavie.ru
Hieromartyr Joseph, Metropolitan of Astrakhan . Archpastor of the Russian Church, who suffered martyrdom from the rebels of Stepan Razin in 1672 from the Nativity of Christ.
Hieromartyrs Mikhail Belorossov, presbyter (1920) and Alexander (Petrovsky), archbishop of Kharkov (1940) . New martyrs and confessors of the Russian Church who suffered during the years of Soviet atheistic persecution.
Congratulations to Orthodox Christians on the memory of all today's saints! Through their prayers, Lord, save and have mercy on us all! We are happy to congratulate those who received names in their honor through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism or monastic tonsure! As they used to say in Rus' in the old days: “For the Guardian Angels - a golden crown, and for you - good health!”
Christ is Risen!
About Cyrillic
The Slavic alphabet, which we use to this day, is named Cyrillic after the younger brother of Thessaloniki. Cyril and Methodius, Christian brothers originally from Thessaloniki (Thessaloniki), chose the path of preachers and became famous after they created the Slavic alphabet and translated Greek liturgical books into the Slavic language.
Professor Evgeny Golubitsky in his book “Saints Constantine and Methodius, the First Teachers of the Slavs” noted that Kirill was distinguished by a particularly sharp mind, broad outlook and philosophical mindset, for which he received the nickname Philosopher. Having traveled to different countries, read different books and seen many Christian saints, Kirill wondered: why in his native Thessaloniki, where the majority of the inhabitants are Slavs, are services not conducted in the Slavic language?
Today there are several versions of the creation of the Cyrillic alphabet. According to one of the most popular, initially Cyril (Konstantin) Thessalonica, with the participation of his brother Methodius, invented the Glagolitic alphabet. It was on it that the first Old Slavonic church books were written in the 9th century.
The Cyrillic alphabet is the result of the work of Kirill’s student (according to another version, this is their joint work). Kliment Ohridski reworked the style of some letters, taking as a basis the unciale - the Greek statutory letter. At the same time, the follower of Cyril and Methodius relied on the work of isolating the sounds of the Slavic language, which was fundamental in the creation of a new written language.
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Cyril and Methodius, known as the founders of Slavic writing, are saints. May 24 is the day on which the Church remembers preachers who carried the word of God.
The name of Cyril and Methodius is inextricably linked with knowledge, learning, and wisdom. If you have to take exams in the foreseeable future, read a prayer on this day for successful passing.
The story of Cyril and Methodius
To understand why they are revered saints, you need to know their history. Cyril, the younger brother of Methodius, studied in Constantinople. He learned a lot of new things and excelled in rhetoric, philosophy, and arithmetic. Later he began to live at a monastery on the Black Sea coast.
Kirill was known for his gift of persuasion and kindness. Historical facts indicate that he converted many people to Christianity. Soon Cyril teamed up with his older brother Methodius, who lived in the monastery for a long time. Instead, they traveled a lot of lands in order to educate people. This is how they ended up in Moravia. It was there that Cyril compiled the Slavic alphabet and translated many sacred texts into Slavic, including the Gospel and the Psalter.
The church was against holding services in the Slavic language, but Cyril and Methodius also dealt with this problem. They went to Rome to persuade Pope Adrian II to allow such preaching.
It is worth noting that the saint adopted the name Cyril only before his death. In worldly life his name was Constantine. He died of illness while in Rome. His elder brother was sent to Pannonia, where he became archbishop. Together with his students, he translated the Old Testament and many other important Christian books and works into Slavic.
How to celebrate the day of Saints Cyril and Methodius
On May 24, 2021, the day of Slavic writing and culture will be celebrated in all Slavic countries. On this day, various festivals, book fairs, and cultural events of various types are held. Every year on May 24, a ceremony is held to award literary and artistic figures with the Cyril and Methodius Prize.
As for church traditions, on this day it is customary to introduce children to the Gospel. It is important to introduce your child to the study of the Holy Scriptures so that he can become familiar with the life of Jesus Christ. It is not necessary to force him to read the original right away. You can try to start with children's adaptation, because a child may not be able to understand the Gospel.
It is also useful to visit church on this day to receive a blessing from the priest for studying. It would not be superfluous to accept the sacrament of confession and communion, and light a candle to Saints Cyril and Methodius.
