St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day is a feast day celebrated in honor of the Apostles to the Slavs, Saints Cyril and Methodius. It commemorates their missionary work, cultural contributions and role in spreading Christianity among the Slavic peoples. This day is significant in both Catholic and Orthodox traditions, as well as in many Slavic countries.

Table of Contents

1. When is St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day?
2. The History of St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day?
3. What Do People Do on This Day?
4. More about St. Cyril and St. Methodius

When is St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day?

The date of St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day depends on the tradition and country celebrating their legacy. In the Orthodox Church, St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day is celebrated on May 11 according to the Julian calendar, which corresponds to May 24 on the Gregorian calendar.

The following is the list of St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day

St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day honors their missionary work, their creation of the Glagolitic alphabet, and their efforts to translate Christian texts into the Slavic language, which laid the foundation for Slavic literacy and Christianity. The history of this celebration reflects the deep cultural and religious impact of these two brothers on the Slavic peoples and beyond.

In 863 AD, Cyril and Methodius were sent by the Byzantine Emperor Michael III and Patriarch Photius I to Great Moravia (now Czech Republic and Slovakia) to spread Christianity among the Slavs. They created the Glagolitic alphabet, the precursor to the Cyrillic script, to translate the Bible and liturgical texts into Old Church Slavonic, enabling the Slavic peoples to worship in their native language. Their efforts to use Slavic in the liturgy rather than Greek or Latin marked a significant cultural shift, fostering Slavic identity and unity.

Cyril died in 869 AD in Rome and was buried there, while Methodius continued their mission, becoming Archbishop of Moravia and defending the use of Slavic in worship. After Methodius' death in 885 AD, their disciples carried on their work, spreading Christianity and literacy throughout Eastern Europe.

Cyril and Methodius were venerated shortly after their deaths, especially in Slavic regions, for their role in Christianizing the Slavs. Their legacy was formally recognized by both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.

They were proclaimed "Equal-to-the-Apostles", a title reserved for those whose missionary efforts significantly impacted the spread of Christianity. The Orthodox Church formally established their feast day on May 11 (Julian calendar) to honor their missionary work and their role in shaping Slavic Christian culture.

In the 9th century, Bulgaria adopted the Old Church Slavonic liturgy and expanded the use of the Cyrillic alphabet, further cementing their influence. This led to the widespread celebration of their feast across the Slavic Orthodox world.

Their disciples spread their teachings and the Slavonic liturgy throughout the Balkans, ensuring the continuation of their mission. By the medieval period, their feast day was widely celebrated in Orthodox Slavic lands, emphasizing their role in uniting faith and culture.

In the modern era, St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day has become a national and cultural holiday in many countries commemorating their work as cultural and educational pioneers.

What Do People Do on This Day?

St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day is observed with a variety of activities, reflecting the significant contributions of these two saints to the spread of Christianity and Slavic culture. Celebrations vary across traditions and regions, with particular emphasis on their role in creating the Glagolitic alphabet and translating Christian texts into Old Church Slavonic.

Orthodox churches hold Divine Liturgies dedicated to St. Cyril and St. Methodius. Prayers and hymns highlight their role as "Equal-to-the-Apostles" and their missionary efforts. Sermons emphasize their contributions to culture and the use of local languages in worship.

In some Orthodox communities, processions with banners and icons of the saints take place. These processions are accompanied by prayers, hymns, and readings from the Bible.

In Orthodox countries, schools and Universities organize discussions and exhibitions focus on their role in promoting education and literacy among the Slavs, as well as the lectures and presentations on the lives of St. Cyril and St. Methodius. Government officials and cultural leaders give speeches honoring their legacy, and parades and cultural performances showcase Slavic heritage, with traditional music and dances.

Individuals and families may spend time in prayer, reflecting on the legacy of Cyril and Methodius and their impact on faith and culture. Inspired by the saints' work in bridging linguistic and cultural divides, some communities organize events promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding.

More about St. Cyril and St. Methodius

St. Cyril and St. Methodius are revered as the Apostles to the Slavs and are celebrated for their monumental role in spreading Christianity and literacy among Slavic peoples during the 9th century. Their contributions have left an enduring legacy in both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as in the broader Slavic world.

St. Cyril

St. Cyril, originally named Constantine, was a Byzantine missionary, scholar, and linguist. He was born into a well-educated family around 626-827 in Thessalonica (now Greece), Cyril showed exceptional aptitude for languages and theology. He studied in Constantinople, where he became a scholar, philosopher and priest, and became proficient in various languages including Greek, Hebrew, and Slavonic.

Cyril developed the Glagolitic alphabet, the first Slavic alphabet, to translate the Bible and liturgical texts into Old Church Slavonic. This alphabet laid the groundwork for the later Cyrillic script, which is still used in many Slavic languages today.

Alongside Methodius, Cyril translated the Bible, liturgical texts and other Christian writings into Old Church Slavonic. This effort made Christianity accessible to the Slavic peoples in their native language, fostering a deep connection between faith and culture.

In 863 AD, Cyril and Methodius were sent to Great Moravia by Byzantine Emperor Michael III to evangelize the Slavic peoples. They taught Christianity using the Slavic language, which distinguished their approach from the Latin-speaking missionaries of the time.

In 869 AD, during a mission to Rome, Cyril entered a monastery and took the name Cyril shortly before his death. He passed away on February 14, 869, and was buried in Rome.

St. Methodius

St. Methodius was born around 815 AD into a prominent family in Thessalonica (now Greece), Methodius initially pursued a career in administration, governing a Slavic region in the Byzantine Empire. Later, he became a monk dedicating his life to spiritual pursuits, which laid the foundation for his future missionary work.

In 863 AD, Methodius and his younger brother Cyril were sent by Byzantine Emperor Michael III to Great Moravia to evangelize the Slavic peoples. Their mission aimed to spread Christianity using the Slavic language to ensure greater understanding and cultural connection. While Cyril focused on linguistic and theological aspects, Methodius played a vital role in organizing and leading the mission. He was instrumental in training local clergy, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Christian mission.

Methodius staunchly defended the use of Old Church Slavonic in the liturgy against opposition from Latin-speaking clergy, who insisted on the exclusive use of Latin. He argued that worship in the local language was essential for the spiritual growth of the Slavic people.

Together with Cyril, Methodius translated the Bible, liturgical texts, and other Christian writings into Old Church Slavonic, making Christianity more accessible to the Slavs.

After Cyril's death in 869 AD, Methodius was appointed Archbishop of Moravia and Pannonia, a region encompassing parts of modern-day Central Europe. As archbishop, he continued their mission, strengthened the local Church, and navigated conflicts with the Latin clergy.

Methodius spent his final years in Great Moravia, continuing to teach, translate and strengthen the local Church. He died on April 6, 885 AD, leaving a legacy of faith, leadership, and cultural enrichment.