Celebration of St. Cirilo and Metodije Day

Celebration of St. Cirilo and Metodije Day

Celebration of St. Cirilo and Metodije Day started in Russia in 1863 when a thousand years old Moravska mission was celebrated and when this Day was announced as the Day of Slavonic literacy and accepted by other Slavonic nations. The celebration always occurs on 24th of May, the date when, in 863, St. Cirilo and Metodije started their missionary trip to Moravska.

Celebration of St. Cirilo and Metodije Day started in Russia in 1863 when a thousand years old Moravska mission was celebrated and when this Day was announced as the Day of Slavonic literacy and accepted by other Slavonic nations. The celebration always occurs on 24th of May, the date when, in 863, St. Cirilo and Metodije started their missionary trip to Moravska.

They left indelible trace of great importance for all Slavonic nations regarding Slavonic liturgy and traditional singing celebrating God on native language. Their reforms introduced the beginning of Slavonic religious culture. The Day of Slavonic literacy is a reminder on merit of the brothers translating books about church ceremonies into Slavonic languages.

During the 9th century, when Cirilo and Metodije succeeded in persuading church authorities that Hebrew, Latin and Greek were not languages for church ceremonies, and when they introduced Slavonic language in church liturgy, the church division was almost completed. Cirilo and Metodije were sent in Central Europe by emperor of Konstantinopolj, and in Rome, Pope asked from them to form “Central Church”. This idea of church which would be neither Eastern nor Western with own liturgy language did not succeeded, but if it did, it could have probably prevented division into Latin church and rest of the world. Despite of great help of Moravska count Rastislav, they had many obstacles and resistance especially from Western-German clergy.

After Cirilo’s death in Rome in 869, Metodije continued to fight for Slavonic liturgy. During his last years in Moravska he translated Bible into Slavonic language and one Greek church book. Those were reasons why Metodije was sentenced to prison after strong resistance of Western clergy.

Metodije died in Velegrad in 885. The mission of Ciriolo and Metodije was continued by their students who were also prosecuted as followers of struggle for native language.