The origin of the holiday is inseparably linked with the memory of the creators of the Cyrillic alphabet - the Equal-to-the-Apostles brothers Cyril and Methodius.
Cyril and Methodius were born into a noble and pious family that lived in Thessaloniki (now Thessaloniki). The elder brother Methodius chose the military field, served in the Slavic principality dependent on the Byzantine Empire, where he learned the local language. After 10 years of service, he became a monk, and then became the abbot of a monastery in Bithynia.
Cyril from an early age was interested in science, studied languages, and communicated with prominent personalities of that time, such as the Byzantine chronicler Leon Grammatikos and Patriarch Photius. After completing his studies, he received the rank of priest, taught philosophy in Constantinople, and later moved to Methodius in a monastery, where he prayed and read a lot.
The reason for the creation of a new script was the request of the Moravian prince Rostislav to send teachers to him so that they preached in the native language of his subjects. These were the times when the Slavic peoples were just entering the historical stage and needed convincing sermons and folk services. In 863, the brothers begin 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, psalms, hymns for liturgies. As soon as the word of God sounded in the Slavic language, the need for local clergymen 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 the written language. Having inherited their own alphabet, the culture and spirituality of the Slavic countries experienced an unprecedented rise.
The Orthodox Church deeply honors the memory of the brothers. Already in the XI century. the day of May 11 (May 24 according to the Gregorian calendar) is declared the day of memory of Saints Cyril and Methodius, and later, when science and education flourished, this day became the holiday of Slavic writing. In Russia, the custom of remembering Cyril and Methodius has developed a very long time ago, but at the state level the holiday was approved only in 1863, almost 1000 years after the introduction of the Cyrillic alphabet. In Soviet times, it was generally forgotten, but on May 24, 1986, several events were held in Murmansk dedicated to the Day of Writing, and the following year it was celebrated in Kyiv, Minsk and Novgorod. 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. Together with commemorative services, processions and pilgrimages to monasteries, exhibitions, presentations, literary readings, competitions and festive concerts are organized. This holiday is an occasion for joy and pride in their national culture, both for believers and convinced atheists in many countries.
In the history of every nation there are epochal milestones that separate times with a red line, personifying change and renewal. First of all, this is due to the nationality, which for many centuries was above politics and prosperity. Of course, for a long time spirituality and science went hand in hand, being engaged in education, preservation of values and historical information. That is why many prominent figures in the Middle Ages turned out to be clerics. They had a broad outlook, were familiar with all sciences, knew languages and geography, saw the highest moral and educational goals in front of them. Such personalities, who changed the course of history and made an unprecedented contribution, are worth their weight in gold. That is why celebrations are still organized in their honor, and a good example of this is the holiday “Day of Slavic Literature and Culture”.
background
This holiday arose in memory of two brothers, who are called Thessalonica. Cyril and Methodius were Byzantines, the full name of the city - the place of their birth - Thessaloniki. They came from a noble family and were fluent in Greek. Some chronicles indicate that a local dialect was also widespread in this area, which belonged to Slavic, however, documentary evidence of the presence of a second native language among the brothers was not found. Many historians attribute Bulgarian origins to them, citing a number of sources, but it is quite possible that they were Greek by birth. Before taking the vows, Kirill bore the name Konstantin. Methodius was the eldest among the brothers in the family and was the first to retire to the monastery. Konstantin received an excellent education, earned honor and respect in the scientific community. After a series of events, he retired to his brother in the monastery, along with his students and associates. It was there that the extensive work that glorified them began.
brothers legacy
The history of the holiday dates back to the events of the 9th century AD. e. Starting with the tonsure of Cyril, work began on the development of the Cyrillic alphabet within the walls of the monastery. So now one of the first alphabets of the Old Slavonic language is called. Its primary name is "glagolitic". It is believed that the idea of its creation originated in 856. The incentive for their invention was missionary activity and the preaching of Christianity. Many rulers and clergy in those days turned to Constantinople, asking for prayers and chants in their native language. The Glagolitic system allowed Cyril and Methodius to translate a number of church books into Slavonic and thereby open the way for Christianity to the east.
Religious canons
But within the framework of history, the holiday of Slavic writing and culture is associated not only with the alphabet, but also with the life of the brothers, Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius. They are canonized as saints and revered in the East and in the West. It is noteworthy that in church usage the order of their names is Methodius, and then Cyril. This probably indicates the higher rank of the elder brother, which is celebrated separately, despite the more important research contribution of his brother. On the icons they are always depicted together, but they were recognized as saints at the end of the 9th century.
The origin of the holiday
Having appreciated the work of the brothers, the Bulgarians, who were the closest Slavs, decided to mark this event. Already since the 11th century, according to some sources, an official church date for the celebration appeared. The date was set for May 11th. For many centuries it was the day of remembrance of the saints, later, in the era of the heyday of science and enlightenment, the event turned into a holiday of Slavic writing. It was the Bulgarian people who initiated the celebrations and kept this tradition. The people were proud of Cyril and Methodius as enlighteners who gave the Slavic world the opportunity for self-determination and national independence, including along the church line. This date has become central in the cultural and spiritual life of the Balkan peoples.
19th century
Much has changed in the late 18th - early 19th century: the revision of values, attitudes, the beginning of progress. It was during this period that the holiday of Slavic writing received a new life. The beginning was laid again in Bulgaria, where mass celebrations took place in 1857. Not wanting to lag behind the Slav brothers and remembering what an impetus for the development of linguistics, literature and science was given by the development of the alphabet, the Russian state also organized celebrations, but in 1863. Alexander was on the throne at that time ||, and the issue on the agenda was the Polish uprising. Nevertheless, it was in this year that a decree was issued to celebrate the day of memory of Cyril and Methodius on May 11 (according to the old style), the date was chosen by the Holy Synod. In 1863, celebrations took place on the occasion of the millennial anniversary of the supposed date of the creation of the Old Slavonic alphabet.
oblivion period
Despite respect for the Equal-to-the-Apostles saints and appreciation of their contribution in the form of translations of church books, the memorable date entered in the state calendar seemed to have been forgotten for a long time. Perhaps this was due to the development of the revolutionary movement, the coup d'etat that denied church canons, and the wars that thundered across Eurasia. Again, the holiday of Slavic writing was revived in Russia in 1985. This event took place in Murmansk, thanks to the writer, repeatedly awarded the State Prize - Maslov Vitaly Semenovich. It was he who became an activist in the revival of interest in this holiday, and on his initiative a monument to Cyril and Methodius was erected in Murmansk. Interest, fueled by the public, grew into a tradition that was soon legitimized.
Public Holiday
The official approval of Cyril and Methodius falls on January 30, 1991. The decision was made by the President of the Russian Federation. This is the first and only one of its kind. The date was chosen on May 24, an analogue of May 11 in the new style. Since then, celebrations have been held in one of the cities, so, for the period from 1991 to 2000, Moscow, Vladimir, Belgorod, Kostroma, Orel, Yaroslavl, Pskov, Ryazan were the epicenter of events. Later, cities more distant from the capital - Novosibirsk, Khanty-Mansiysk - were also involved. Since 2010, by decree of President D. A. Medvedev, Moscow has been appointed the center of cultural and church events.
Church celebrations
The history of the holiday of Slavic writing and culture involves church events dedicated to the memory of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Saints Methodius and Cyril. As a rule, the most important place at moments of important spiritual events is the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, where the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia conducts services. Traditional celebrations involve the morning Divine Liturgy. Later, the patriarch delivers a speech addressing parishioners, clergy and government officials. Within the walls of the temple, the brothers are called “Slovenian teachers”. First of all, the enlightening orientation of the saints is noted, that they carried the word, culture, language to the people, guided by divine laws and moral standards. The concept of enlightenment is interpreted in the church as the radiance of light, showing a person the way to the light, and therefore to God. At the moment, the church is actively involved in the life of the country, responding to the political problems and hardships of the life of parishioners. This allows not only to renounce earthly things by attending the liturgy, but also to learn the position of the church on the main issues of being and statehood. After the official part, a religious procession to the monument to Cyril and Methodius takes place within the walls of the cathedral. It is located in the center of Moscow, a prayer service is performed there, and then wreaths are laid.
Mass celebrations
Along with the church, the scenario of the holiday “Day of Slavic Literature and Culture” in mass manifestation is no less important. Since this is a state date, public organizations hold concerts, exhibitions, presentations, readings, competitions and other events. Red Square becomes the center of events, it is there that a large-scale concert is held, which opens in the afternoon with official speeches, and continues for a long time. Soloists and groups change on the stage, creating a festive atmosphere on the streets of the city. The scope of the event emphasizes the composition of the performers - these are the largest choirs, a symphony orchestra, orchestras of folk instruments. Actors and TV presenters consider it an honor to be able to perform on such a stage. The concert is broadcast on state channels. Celebrations are also held outside the capital, focused on central squares, near monuments, in parks, and in libraries. There is a single script for the holiday of Slavic writing, which regulates the main parameters of the celebrations.
Cultural development
The Day of Cyril and Methodius plays a big role in the cultural life of the country. It stirs up the interest of the younger generation in linguistics, literature, history, introduces the older generation to historical milestones. The very history of the holiday “Day of Slavonic Literature” speaks of its important mission - enlightenment. Open lectures, seminars, readings are those events that acquaint visitors with new discoveries, the main versions of historical truth, with new literary and journalistic works.
Geography of the holiday
The Day of Literature and Culture is the prerogative of not only Russia. This holiday is famous for its vast geography, which includes the countries of the Slavic world. Of course, it is celebrated in Bulgaria, which is interesting, it is also a state holiday in the Czech Republic and Macedonia. In the post-Soviet space, he remains one of the favorites. Celebrations in city squares, churches, libraries, schools are held in the cities of Moldova, Transnistria, Ukraine, Belarus. Traditionally, forums, meetings, open readings, publications of monographs or historical essays are prepared for this date. In order to diversify the content of events, anniversaries of writers, anniversaries of the death of clerics or historical marks are connected to the dates of the celebration.
How to spend a writing day?
Many institutions of preschool education and public organizations celebrate the holiday of Slavic writing and culture in their own way. The scenario may vary. Someone chooses to hold charity events, someone focuses on the literary and linguistic heritage, someone chooses to hold concerts and exhibitions. Of course, the theme of national unity, spiritual growth, wealth and value of the native language occupies a leading place. When a holiday of Slavic writing and culture is being prepared, the script takes a leading place, since it requires a clear schedule with an hourly schedule.
There is a monument to Cyril and Methodius in many cities of Russia and abroad. The contribution of the saints, who gave the Slavic people the key to the development of science and linguistics, is difficult to overestimate. The holiday of Slavic writing is one of the most important events in the life of the country and the Slavic people.
Kirill(in the world Constantine, nickname - Philosopher, born in 827 - died in 869, Rome) and Methodius(Michael in the world; born in 815 - died in 885, Moravia) - brothers from the city of Thessaloniki (Thessalonica), creators of the Old Slavonic alphabet, preachers of Christianity.
The Orthodox Church canonized them as Equal-to-the-Apostles saints (“Slovenian teachers”), they are revered both in the West and in the East. In scientific works, they are mentioned in this sequence: Cyril and Methodius. As for the church, here, at the level of liturgical use, a different order is adopted for the use of the names of the brothers. Most likely, this is due to the fact that Methodius in the church hierarchy occupied a higher position (archbishop) compared to Cyril.
Origin
According to some sources, the city of Thessaloniki was the birthplace of Cyril and Methodius. They were born into a wealthy family. About their father, who bore the name Leo, it is known that he was in the military service under the governor (theme strategist) of the city of Thessaloniki and came from a fairly wealthy family. There were 7 sons in his family, among whom Cyril was the eldest, and Methodius was the youngest.
The Greek origin of Cyril and Methodius is the most common version of the origin of the future creators of the Slavic alphabet. In particular, Slavic scholars of the 19th century Mikhail Pogodin and Germengild Irechek substantiated this version by the fact that both brothers were fluent in the Slavic language in its local dialect. Such a theory is completely denied by modern scientists.
There is a completely opposite version of the origin of the saints. It is believed that the brothers were Bulgarians, since the later edition of Cyril's Prologue Life speaks of Cyril's birth as a Bulgarian: "I come from the blessed hail from the sun". It was this mention that became a kind of stumbling block for Bulgarian scientists, who still zealously defend the Bulgarian version of the origin of famous Slavic preachers.
If we stick to the Greek origin of Cyril and Methodius, then it is necessary to dwell on the description of the city of Thessaloniki in order to understand how the environment influenced their life choices.
The city was bilingual. On its territory lived both people who use the Greek language in everyday life, and those who spoke Proto-Slavic, which was distinguished by the Thessalonica dialect. The inhabitants of the city of Thessaloniki belonged to different tribes, including Draguvites, Sagudites and Smolensk. It was the latter who helped Cyril and Methodius create a variant of the language known today as Church Slavonic.
Methodius, before being tonsured a monk, did well in the military-administrative service. The help of the eunuch Theoktist, the great logothete and friend of Methodius, allowed the future preacher to take the post of strategist of Slavinia (Macedonia).
Cyril was recognized as the most educated person of his time. Before his trip to Moravia, he was engaged in the translation of the Gospel into Slavonic and completed the work on compiling the Slavonic alphabet.
Years of study and teaching
Cyril studied geometry, philosophy, astronomy and languages in Constantinople. After graduating from the University of Magnavra, he took the priesthood and began to serve in the Cathedral of St. Sophia as a hartophylax, which in literal translation meant "keeper of the library", but in practice corresponded to the title of a modern academician.
He neglected the marriage with the goddaughter of the logothete, and soon left the post of hartophylax and preferred to move to one of the monasteries on the Black Sea coast. For some time he lived as a hermit, but then he was forced to return to Constantinople and take the place of a teacher of philosophy at the university where he studied himself.
It was from this time that the nickname Philosopher was assigned to Cyril. He gained fame in the capital after he was able to successfully hold a theological dispute and defeat his opponent, Patriarch Annius, the leader of the iconoclast movement.
Then Cyril decided to get acquainted with the basics of Christianity, together with Metropolitan George of Nicomedia visited the palace of the Emir of Militia. Finally, in 856, Constantine, along with some of his students, went to the monastery, where his brother Methodius was the abbot. There the idea was born - to create a Slavic alphabet. Most likely, Cyril decided to go to his brother because of the murder of his former patron, the logothete Feoktist.
Khazar mission
In 860, Cyril, who at that time bore the name Constantine, went to the Khazar Khagan as a missionary. The main task of his mission is the adoption of Christianity by the Khaganate. Upon arrival in Korsun, Konstantin began to prepare for the controversy, and along the way he mastered the Hebrew language and the writing of the Samaritans. In addition, he received access to the so-called Russian letter. Some scholars mistakenly believe that in this case we are talking about Russian writing. This approach is erroneous, since it is reasonable to consider these writings as Syriac, that is, "Sura". Just at this time, the religious doctrine associated with the Church of the East became widespread in Khazaria, so the Slavs living here could well come across the Syriac script.
Constantine, at the request of the kagan himself, had to convince him of the correctness of the Christian religion. If Constantine's arguments were convincing, the kagan swore an oath that he would accept Christianity. There are two versions of the development of further events.
First, Constantine entered into an argument with the imam and rabbi in the presence of the kagan. It is not entirely clear to which faith the kagan belonged and at what level of power he was. It is possible that before Constantine there was a supreme kagan or a kagan-bek, but in this case a change of faith was practically impossible, and only a Russian kagan could take this step. According to one version, it follows that Constantine won the dispute, but the kagan refused to fulfill his promise.
The second is that it was not Constantine who won the dispute, but the rabbi, who was able to take control of the situation and set the imam on Constantine, which allowed him to prove the correctness of the Jewish faith with sufficient ease. This information was obtained thanks to Arabic sources and the collective work "Joseph's Letter".
Bulgarian mission
Today it is difficult to say that it was Cyril and Methodius who became the people with the help of which the spread of Christianity in Bulgaria began. Quite a few scholars oppose this version, proving that the brothers were in Moravia when Khan Boris was baptized.
Some Bulgarian researchers continue to adhere to a different point of view and justify their stubbornness with surviving traditions. It is known that at one time the sister of Khan Boris was a hostage in Constantinople. She was baptized with the name Theodora and brought up in accordance with the spirit of Christianity.
Around 860, she returned to her homeland and made every effort to ensure that her brother Boris converted to Christianity. As a result, Boris was baptized under the name Michael. The choice of this name is associated with Michael, the son of the Byzantine Empress Theodora, during whose reign the direct Christianization of the Bulgarian kingdom took place.
Just at that time, Methodius and his brother were on the territory of Bulgaria. They delivered sermons, which contributed to the rapid establishment of Christianity. The popularization of religion led to the establishment of Christianity in neighboring Serbia, and in 863 Cyril, with the help of his brother and students, was able to compile the Old Slavonic alphabet. In addition, they took up the translation of church services into Bulgarian. The fact that the Slavic alphabet was created by Cyril and Methodius is confirmed by the legend "About Letters" Bulgarian monk Chernorizets the Brave, a contemporary of Tsar Simeon: “If you ask the Slavic literate, saying: “Who created the letters or translated the books for you,” then everyone knows and, answering, they say: Saint Constantine the Philosopher, named Cyril - he created the letters for us and translated the books, and Methodius, his brother. Because those who saw them are still alive. And if you ask what time, they know and say that during the time of Michael, the king of Greece, and Boris, the prince of Bulgaria, and Rostislav, the prince of Moravia, and Kotsel, the prince of Blaten, in the year from the creation of the whole world 6363.
The time of the appearance of the Slavic alphabet can be attributed to the year 863, if we start from the Alexandrian chronology, adopted at the time of the creation of the chronicler's work. Although scientists are still arguing about the authorship of Konstantin, since it is not entirely clear what exactly he invented - Glagolitic or Cyrillic.
Moravian mission
In 862, the Byzantine emperor received ambassadors from the Moravian prince Rostislav, who asked for help in maintaining the faith of Christ. In particular, he asked to send teachers of the Christian faith capable of carrying out divine services in the Slavic language. This request was not only heard, but also accepted with enthusiasm by both the emperor himself and the patriarch. As a result, the Thessalonica brothers were selected for a trip to Moravia.
During their stay in Moravia, Constantine and Methodius were engaged not only in holding divine services in the Slavic language, but also taught the local population, which included the inhabitants of Carpathian Rus, to read and write. They continued to translate Greek church books into Slavonic. They stayed in Moravia for 3 years, and then they were urgently sent to Rome.
The brothers were summoned by the Pope, as Constantine and Methodius were accused of apostasy. They were accused of holding divine services in the Slavic language.
Until the events described, the following postulate of faith was recognized: an appeal to God can be made only in Latin, Greek and Hebrew. A similar interpretation has developed because of the inscription on the Cross of the Lord, which was performed only in the 3 languages mentioned. Therefore, anyone who would like to change this state of affairs was immediately declared a heretic. However, the brothers managed to escape punishment.
This probably happened because Constantine handed over to the Church of Rome the relics of St. Clement, which he got during his Chersonese journey. Be that as it may, but Adrian, the head of the Catholic Church, approved the right for the Slavs to use their language for worship.
last years of life
On February 14, 869 (according to the old style), the preacher Cyril died in Rome, who had previously accepted the schema and a new name. Only from this date it is legitimate to call him Cyril, before that he bore the name Konstantin, given to him at birth. They buried him in the church of St. Clement.
Methodius was made Archbishop of Moravia and Pannonia by the Pope. After that, he went with his students to Pannonia, a Slavic country that Cyril and Methodius visited during their trip to Rome. There they spent quite a lot of time teaching the Slavs worship in their native language and book business.
Soon Methodius returned to Moravia. During his absence, serious changes took place in the country associated with the rise of the Latin-German clergy. In 870, Prince Rostislav died in a Bavarian prison, overcome by Louis the German. As a result, the nephew of Prince Svyatopolk, who was under the influence of the Germans, ascended the throne.
In Moravia, services in the Slavic language were banned, and the intrigues of the German clergy even made it possible to exile Archbishop Methodius to the Reichenau Monastery for 3 years. The Pope found out about this and forbade the German bishops to celebrate the liturgy. Thanks to the participation of the Pope, Methodius was released. However, the ban affected the language of worship of the Slavs in the churches of Moravia: only sermons were allowed in the Slavic language.
Methodius, restored in 879 as an archbishop, ignored the decrees of the Pope and continued to hold services in the forbidden language. He baptized Prince Borivoi with his wife Lyudmila in Slavonic.
In the same year, the German churchmen were able to re-organize the process against Methodius. But this did not bring positive results, since the archbishop visited Rome and was able not only to justify himself, but also to receive a papal bull, which allowed worship in the Slavic language.
In 881, Methodius received an invitation to Constantinople from Emperor Basil I. Arriving in the capital of Byzantium, the archbishop, along with his students, stayed there for another 3 years. Then he returned to Moravia, where with 3 students he completed the translation of the Old Testament and patristic books into Slavonic.
In 885, Methodius died after a serious illness. His death fell on Palm Sunday, that is, on April 19th. The archbishop's funeral was held in 3 languages: Slavonic, Greek and Latin.
Heritage
Scientists admit that Cyril and Methodius developed an alphabet based on the Slavic language, known as the Glagolitic alphabet. It is believed that the Cyrillic alphabet is the merit of Kliment Ohridsky, a student of the brothers. When creating the alphabet, Clement relied on the Greek alphabet.
However, it should be noted that Clement mainly used the work of Cyril and Methodius, in which the sounds of the Slavic language were isolated. Nobody disputes this version. At the same time, this work is the cornerstone of the creation of a new script, and this makes it fundamental for the creation of the Slavic alphabet. Thanks to the unique linguistic abilities of Cyril, Slavic sounds were able to be distinguished quite scientifically.
At the same time, the possibility of the existence of Slavic writing long before Cyril and Methodius is controversial. As an argument, in this case, they use a fragment from the life of Cyril, which mentions books written in Russian. But in the life of Cyril there are no hints that these books belong to Slavic writing.
“And the Philosopher found here (in Korsun) the Gospel and the Psalter, written in Russian letters, and found a man speaking that speech. And he talked with him and understood the meaning of the language, correlating the differences between vowels and consonants with his own language. And offering up a prayer to God, he soon began to read and speak. And many were amazed at this, glorifying God.
As an example, the zeal with which Cyril tried to comprehend a new language is given, which confirms the non-Slavic roots of the language being studied. During the life of Cyril and Methodius, the Proto-Slavic language was a single whole and it was perfectly understood by everyone who considered it their own. It was only in the 12th century that the division of the language into dialects began.
Researchers for the most part tend to 2 versions of the interpretation of the fragment from the life of Cyril. First, the passage in question may have been written in Gothic. Secondly, the manuscript could well contain a mistake when it should be read not in “Rus”, but in “Sur”, which is equivalent to “Syrian”.
If we take into account Cyril's study of the Hebrew language and writing in Samaritan at that time, then the second option is more likely. Metropolitan Macarius has repeatedly emphasized that in the life itself, Cyril was repeatedly spoken of as the creator of Slavic writing.
veneration
Russian Orthodoxy has established 2 dates for the memory of the saints, associated with the days of their presentation. So, Cyril is venerated on February 27 (old style - February 14), and Methodius - on April 19 (old style - April 6).
The Catholic Church introduced a single day of remembrance of the brothers - February 14th. Prior to this, the date of the celebration fell on July 5th. In 1863, the Church of Rome celebrated the "Year of the Slavic Jubilee", and Pope John Paul dedicated his epistle (encyclical) "Apostles of the Slavs" to Cyril and Methodius.
In 1863, the Holy Governing Synod of Russia decided to celebrate the day of Saints Cyril and Methodius on May 11 (according to the Julian calendar). It is not clear why this particular date was chosen.
May 11, 1858 for the first time celebrated the day of memory of Cyril and Methodius in Plovdiv in the framework of the Bulgarian Church. Perhaps there is some reason for choosing May 11th. In addition, in 1862, Ivan Dmitrievich Belyaev, a professor at Moscow University, wrote an article that spoke about the existence of a certain church document dated May 11 and defining the principles for writing the icons of Cyril and Methodius.
On May 11, 1872, despite the prohibition of the Patriarch, Exarch Anfim I performed a liturgy that took place in the Bulgarian church of Constantinople, at which the act of independence of the Bulgarian Church was proclaimed, that is, it became autocephalous. On this occasion, the Holy Synod expressed sincere regret, as there was a separation of the Greeks and Bulgarians, which caused the Greek Church to refuse to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of Cyril and Methodius for political reasons.
The decree of the Holy Synod of 1855 established that May 11 should be considered an average holiday with a vigil. Since 1901, the Synod has determined the celebration of May 11 on an annual basis in all churches and educational institutions belonging to the spiritual department. An all-night vigil and a liturgy with a prayer service were envisaged. Students of spiritual institutions were exempted from classes, and on May 11, a graduation ceremony was held in church schools.
In 1991, the holiday in honor of Cyril and Methodius became a state holiday in the following countries: Czech Republic, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Slovakia. In Russia and Bulgaria, the "Day of Slavic Culture and Writing" is celebrated on May 24. Macedonia also celebrates this holiday on May 24, but here it is already called “The Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius”. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it is customary to honor Cyril and Methodius on July 5th.
The Slovak poet Jan Golla created a poem called "Cyrillo-Methodiad", and the biography of the saints was included in the "Khazar Dictionary" by Milorad Pavic. Bulgaria established the Order of Cyril and Methodius.
Disciples of Saints Cyril and Methodius
Every year on May 24, Slavic countries celebrate the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture. This holiday is connected with the names of the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles brothers Cyril and Methodius - Slavic enlighteners, creators of the Slavic alphabet, preachers of Christianity, the first translators of liturgical books from Greek into Slavonic.
Slavic writing arose - on May 24, 863 in the city of Pliska, the then capital of Bulgaria, where the Thessalonica brothers Cyril and Methodius announced the invention of the Slavic alphabet. It was they, the Bulgarian educators Cyril and Methodius, who created the first Slavic alphabet, which we use to this day. The alphabet got its name from the name of the youngest of the brothers - Cyrillic.
The history of the Cyrillic alphabet is connected with Orthodoxy. Using the created alphabet, the brothers translated the Holy Scriptures and a number of liturgical books from the Greek language.It is no coincidence that the feat of life of Cyril and Methodius is equated with the apostolic, calling them the "first teachers" of the Slavs. Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius were canonized as saints in antiquity. The solemn celebration of the memory of Saints Cyril and Methodius was established in the Russian Church in 1863. Memorial Day of Cyril and Methodius - May 24, according to the new style, is now celebrated in Russia as a public holiday. The Day of Slavic Literature and Culture is the only church-state holiday in our country.
Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius
The siblings Cyril and Methodius came from a pious family that lived in the Greek city of Thessalonica (in Macedonia). They were the children of the same governor, a Bulgarian Slav by birth. Saint Methodius was the eldest of the seven brothers, Saint Constantine (Cyril is his monastic name) was the youngest.
Saint Methodius at first served, like his father, in a military rank. The king, having learned about him as a good warrior, appointed him governor in one Slavic principality of Slavinia, which was under the Greek state. Having been in the rank of governor for about 10 years and knowing the vanity of life, Methodius began to renounce everything earthly and direct his thoughts to the heavenly. Leaving the province and all the pleasures of the world, he became a monk on Mount Olympus.
And his brother Saint Constantine from his youth showed brilliant successes both in secular and in religious and moral education. He studied with the young emperor Michael with the best teachers of Constantinople, including Photius, the future patriarch of Constantinople. Having received a brilliant education, he perfectly comprehended all the sciences of his time and many languages, he especially diligently studied the works of St. Gregory the Theologian, for which he received the title of Philosopher (wise). At the end of his teaching, Saint Constantine accepted the rank of priest and was appointed curator of the patriarchal library at the church of Saint Sophia. But, neglecting all the benefits of his position, he retired to one of the monasteries near the Black Sea. Almost by force, he was returned to Constantinople and appointed as a teacher of philosophy in the higher school of Constantinople. Then Cyril retired to brother Methodius and for several years shared monastic deeds with him in a monastery on Olympus, where he first began to study the Slavic language. Soon the emperor summoned both holy brothers from the monastery and sent them to the Khazars for the gospel sermon. On the way, they stopped for some time in the city of Korsun (the old Russian name for the city of Chersonesos), where Konstantin learned Hebrew and Samaritan. Here the holy brothers learned that the relics of the Hieromartyr Clement, Pope of Rome, were in the sea, and miraculously found them. In the same place in Korsun, Saint Constantine found a Gospel and a Psalter written in "Russian letters" and a man who spoke Russian, and began to learn from this man to read and speak his language. After that, the holy brothers went to the Khazars, where they won the debate with the Jews and Muslims, preaching the Gospel teaching.
Soon, ambassadors came to the emperor from the Moravian prince Rostislav, who was being oppressed by the German bishops, with a request to send teachers to Moravia who could preach in their native language for the Slavs. The emperor called Saint Constantine and said to him: "You must go there, for no one can do it better than you." Saint Constantine, with fasting and prayer, embarked on a new feat. With the help of his brother Saint Methodius and the disciples of Gorazd, Clement, Savva, Naum and Angelyar, he compiled the Slavic alphabet and translated into Slavonic the books, without which Divine services could not be performed: the Gospel, the Psalter and selected services. Some chroniclers report that the first words written in the Slavic language were the words of the Apostle Evangelist John: “In the beginning was (was) the Word, and the Word was to God, and God was the Word”. This was in 863.
After the completion of the translation, the holy brothers set off for Moravia, where they were received with great honor and began to teach Divine Liturgy in the Slavic language. This aroused the anger of the German bishops, who celebrated divine services in Latin in the Moravian churches, and they rebelled against the holy brothers and filed a complaint with Rome. In 867 St. Methodius and Constantine were summoned by Pope Nicholas I to Rome for trial to resolve this issue. Taking with them the relics of Saint Clement, Pope of Rome, Saints Constantine and Methodius set off for Rome. When they arrived in Rome, Nicholas I was no longer alive; his successor Adrian II, learning that they were carrying the relics of St. Clement, met them solemnly outside the city. The Pope of Rome approved Divine services in the Slavic language, and ordered the books translated by the brothers to be placed in Roman churches and to celebrate the Liturgy in the Slavic language.
While in Rome, Saint Constantine, informed by the Lord in a miraculous vision of the approach of death, received the schema with the name Cyril. 50 days after the adoption of the schema, on February 14, 869, Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril died at the age of 42. Before his death, he said to his brother: “You and I, like a friendly pair of oxen, led the same furrow; I am exhausted, but don’t you think to leave the labors of teaching and retire again to your mountain.” The Pope ordered the relics of St. Cyril to be placed in the church of St. Clement, where miracles began to happen from them.
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 the holy Apostle Anthrodin. At the same time, Methodius had to endure a lot of trouble from missionaries, but he continued to preach the Gospel among the Slavs and baptized the Czech prince Borivoi and his wife Lyudmila (Comm. 16 September), as well as one of the Polish princes.
In the last years of his life, Saint Methodius, with the help of two disciple-priests, translated into Slavonic the entire Old Testament, except for the Maccabees, as well as the Nomocanon (Rules of the Holy Fathers) and the patristic books (Paterik).
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 capital of Moravia.
Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius were canonized as saints in antiquity. In the Russian Orthodox Church, the memory of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Enlighteners of the Slavs has been honored since the 11th century. The oldest services to the saints that have come down to our time date back to the 13th century. The solemn celebration of the memory of the holy primates Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius was established in the Russian Church in 1863.
After the death of the great brothers, their disciples suffered persecution. The Pope forbade the study of the Slavic language. The case of Cyril and Methodius, despite a stubborn and lengthy struggle for many years, failed among the Western Slavs, but on the other hand it firmly established itself in Bulgaria, and from there it was transferred to Serbia, Romania and Russia. The disciples of Cyril and Methodius opened their own schools, and by the end of the 9th century, thousands of people were already reading and writing in Old Church Slavonic.
The Slavic alphabet existed in Russia unchanged for more than seven centuries. Its creators tried to make each letter of the first alphabet simple and clear, easy to write. They understood that the letters should be beautiful, so that a person who barely saw them would immediately want to master the letter. The alphabet of Cyril and Methodius amazes us with its simplicity and convenience. In 1708, at the direction of Peter I, the alphabet was reformed for publications of the civil press; it was this version that formed the basis of the modern Russian font.
In the second half of the 18th century, the Russian alphabet was replenished with new letters that were not in the Slavic alphabet. At the beginning of the 20th century in Russia, there was a need to simplify the alphabet and spelling. Such a reform was carried out in 1918.
Now our alphabet, compiled by Cyril and Methodius, is the simplest and most convenient. It contains the optimal number of letters - 33.
The spiritual feat of Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius is attested in extensive hagiographical literature, in laudatory words and religious hymns, in ancient church services and hymns, on icons and in church murals, in artistic prose, in poetry and in numerous scholarly works.
Cyril and Methodius did a great job, the Slavic alphabet can rightfully be called a world masterpiece of linguistic culture. The power of the deeds of Cyril and Methodius is great and immortal, like a native language!
On May 24, Russia celebrates the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture. The history of the Day of Slavic writing and culture. It should be said that this is a holiday of Christian enlightenment, a holiday of the native word, native book, native literature, native culture. Learning various sciences in our native language, we, in the words of the ancient Russian chronicler, reap what was sown by the most ancient enlighteners of Russia, who adopted writing from the first teachers of the Slavic peoples - Saints Cyril and Methodius.
For the first time, the day of Slavic writing began to be celebrated in Bulgaria in 1857. In Russia - in 1863. In our country, the holiday of Slavic writing and culture was revived in 1986 in Murmansk under the leadership of the writer Maslov Vitaly Semenovich. Since 1991, by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, the holiday has been given state status.
All Slavs who preserve Orthodoxy and Orthodox culture sacredly venerate Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius. For more than a thousand years, in all Orthodox churches in Russia, at every festive church service, Saints Cyril and Methodius are remembered and glorified as the first “Slovenian teachers”. The veneration of the educators of the Slavic peoples especially intensified in Russia in the 19th century. This was facilitated by a number of significant anniversaries, as well as the participation of the Russian people in the liberation movement of the Balkan peoples.
For the first time, the Bulgarians came up with the initiative to hold a holiday of Slavic writing in 1857. At the initiative of the same Bulgaria, this holiday is also celebrated in other "Cyrillic" countries: Serbia, Montenegro, even in the Catholic Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Now in Russia, as well as in many former Soviet republics, there are cultural events and celebrations on this occasion. But only in Bulgaria it is a holiday of a national scale: this day is a non-working day, everyone goes out to festive services, demonstrations, religious processions, concerts.
In Russia, the Day of Slavic Literature was first celebrated in 1863. Unfortunately, this tradition lasted only a few decades.
In 1869, 1000 years have passed since the death of St. Constantine-Cyril. In all Slavic countries, solemn services were performed to the Slavic first teachers, poets dedicated poems to them, and composers composed laudatory songs in their honor and memory.
In 1877, a war began between Russia and Turkey for the liberation of the Balkan countries. Russia took an active part in the deliverance of the Bulgarian people of the same faith from Turkish rule, and the Russian army brought the lives of many of its best soldiers to the altar of victory. The unity of the two Orthodox peoples was sealed by the Slavic blood shed at the Danube, at Shipka and near Plevna. On February 19 (March 3, Gregorian), 1878, under the walls of Constantinople, in San Stefano, a peace treaty was signed, which proclaimed "truth and freedom where falsehood and slavery had previously reigned."
The liberation of the Bulgarian people from the Ottoman yoke gave rise to the celebration of the “Day of Cyril and Methodius” (or, as this day is called in Bulgaria, the “Feast of Letters”), precisely because the national revival of the Bulgarians in the 19th century is directly related to the revival of the national alphabet, school education and the Bulgarian language. culture in general. On May 24, the day of memory of Saints Cyril and Methodius Equal to the Apostles, it has become a tradition throughout Bulgaria to hold demonstrations, literary evenings, and concerts every year.
In 1885, 1000 years have passed since the death of Saint Methodius. By this date, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church sent out a special holiday Message throughout Russia, which spoke of the great feat of the first teachers of the Slavic peoples. P.I. Tchaikovsky wrote a hymn in honor of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
Since 1901, at the direction of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, May 11 (24) has become a holiday for many educational institutions in Russia. By this day, in many schools, classes were over, solemn prayers were served, and festive concerts and evenings were held.
After the revolution of 1917, the memory of Cyril and Methodius was preserved only by the Church and Russian Slavists, who studied the scientific heritage of Cyril and Methodius.
Almost unnoticed by the general public, two significant anniversaries of the 20th century passed: in 1969 - 1100 years since the death of St. Cyril, and in 1985 - the 1100th anniversary of the death of St. Methodius.
Only since 1963 in the Soviet Union (the year of the 1100th anniversary of the creation of the Slavic alphabet) scientific conferences dedicated to this holiday began to be held, and even then irregularly.
Murmansk writer Vitaly Semenovich Maslov (1935-2001) was one of the first who stood up for the revival of the tradition of holding holidays of Slavic writing already in 1980, but he managed to do this only in 1986 in the city of Murmansk. At the first holiday, it was decided to choose a new city every year as the center of celebrations - a kind of capital of the holiday, in which this day is celebrated especially solemnly. In 1987 it was already Vologda, in 1988 - Novgorod, 1989 - Kyiv, 1990 - Minsk.
The significant year 1991 was also the year in the history of the holiday when, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR of January 30, May 24 was declared a public holiday - the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture. This year the holiday was held in Smolensk. In 1992, Moscow became the center of celebrations, in 1993 - Chersonesos, 1994 - Thessaloniki, 1995 - Belgorod, 1996 - Orel, 1997 - Kostroma, 1998 - Pskov, 1999 - Yaroslavl, 2000 - Ryazan, 2001 - Kaluga, 2002 - Novosibirsk, 2003 - Voronezh, 2004 - Samara, in 2005 - Rostov-on-Don.
Day of Slavic Writing and Culture celebrated everywhere. In terms of its content, the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture has long been the only state-church holiday in Russia. By decision of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church and with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia, Metropolitan Juvenaly of Krutitsy and Kolomna has been co-chairman of the Organizing Committee of the holiday for several years.
With good reason, we can talk about the uniqueness of this holiday of spirituality, held with the Russian Orthodox Church. Without a doubt, he is a significant phenomenon in the cultural and political life of the entire Slavic world. Appeal to the origins of the national cultures of the Slavic peoples, their close relationship emphasize the organic unity and, at the same time, the diversity of Slavic cultural traditions.
In recent years, the structure has been formed and the main events of the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture have been determined. Every year, regardless of the day of the week, the administration of the region hosting the holiday declares May 24 a day off. In the morning, the Divine Liturgy in honor of Saints Cyril and Methodius Equal-to-the-Apostles is served in the main church of the city, followed by the procession of the participants of the holiday. On one of the central squares, festively decorated and equipped for this occasion, appeals to the audience of many thousands of the main organizers of the holiday: the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, as well as the co-chairs of the Organizing Committee - a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church and the head of the regional administration. As part of the holiday, an open lesson is held for students of schools, secondary and higher educational institutions.
Traditionally, the International Scientific Conference "Slavic World: Commonality and Diversity" is held. On this day, grandiose folk holidays are held on the streets and squares of cities in museums of wooden architecture, in protected architectural ensembles. As a rule, almost all folk art groups of the city and region take part in them.
A kind of artistic dominant of the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture is the original evening solemn action taking place in the open air in the most significant historical part of the city. The Day of Slavic Literature and Culture is a holiday of Christian enlightenment, a holiday of the native word, native book, native literature, native culture. Learning various sciences in our native language, we, in the words of the ancient Russian chronicler, reap what was sown by the most ancient enlighteners of Russia, who adopted writing from the first teachers of the Slavic peoples - Saints Cyril and Methodius.
