This holiday is associated with the names of the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles brothers Cyril and Methodius - Slavic enlighteners, creators of the Slavic alphabet, the first translators of liturgical books from Greek into Slavonic.
To the 1152th anniversary of the creation of Slavic writing
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 inextricably linked with Orthodoxy. Using the created alphabet, the brothers translated the Holy Scriptures and a number of liturgical books from the Greek language.
The first words written in the Slavic alphabet were the opening lines of the Paschal Gospel of John:
In the beginning was the Word
And the Word was with God,
And the Word was God.
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. 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 solemn celebration of the memory of Saints Cyril and Methodius was established in the Russian Church in 1863.
The day of memory of Cyril and Methodius established by the church - 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.
During the Days of Slavic Literature and Culture, scientific conferences, readings, exhibitions and concerts are held in many cities. In the churches of the Russian Orthodox Church, festive services and solemn religious processions are held.
The holiday of Slavic writing reminds us of the origins of our spirituality, that Russian culture inherits the ancient and great traditions of Slavic culture, and of the role of writing in its formation and development.
In 2015, 1152 years have passed since the emergence of Slavic writing - on May 24, 863 in the city of Pliska, the then capital of Bulgaria, the Thessalonica brothers Cyril and Methodius announced the invention of the Slavic alphabet.
Enlighteners of the Slavs - Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius
The Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles First Teachers and Enlighteners of the Slavs Methodius (about 815-885) and Cyril (about 827-869; before accepting monasticism at the beginning of 869 - Constantine) - brothers, originally from the city of Thessalonica (Thessaloniki).
Coming from a noble and wealthy Christian family, they received an excellent education. Methodius, the elder brother, while in military service, ruled one of the subordinate Slavic principalities of the Byzantine Empire (possibly Bulgarian), where he learned the Slavic language. Ten years later, he left the reign and took the vows as a monk on Mount Olympus (in Asia Minor). Constantine, who surprised everyone with his abilities even as a child, was educated together with the young son of the Byzantine emperor Michael III from the best teachers in Constantinople. He perfectly comprehended the sciences of his time and many languages, for which he was nicknamed the Philosopher. Having accepted the rank of priest, he became the curator of the patriarchal library at the church of St. Sophia, then taught philosophy at the higher school of Constantinople. At the age of 24, he was sent on a dangerous and difficult mission to the Muslim Saracens to conduct a philosophical and theological debate. Constantine brilliantly coped with the task, refuting all the arguments of the Muslim philosophers, for which they even tried to kill (poison) the young Christian, but he remained unharmed. Returning to his homeland, Constantine retired to Olympus to his brother Methodius. However, in 858 Emperor Michael summoned both brothers to preach the gospel to the Khazars. On the way, the brothers stopped in Korsun (an ancient Russian name for the city of Chersonese), where Konstantin learned Hebrew and Samaritan.
After some time, the emperor again called the brothers, responding to the request of the Moravian prince Rostislav to send teachers who could preach Christianity in the Slavic language.
Cyril and Methodius - miniature from the Radziwill Chronicle (XIII century)
In 863, Constantine, with the help of Methodius and several students, compiled the Slavic alphabet and translated several books, without which it is impossible to perform worship: the Gospel, the Apostle, the Psalter and selected services. The Slavic alphabet created by Konstantin (Cyril) is not accidentally called Cyrillic. In fact, we still use it today.
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 Rome, Saint Constantine fell ill, and shortly before his death (February 14, 869) he took the schema with the name Cyril. By decision of Pope Adrian II, the relics of St. Cyril were placed in the Basilica of St. Clement in Rome, where miracles began to be performed from them.
Saint Methodius was ordained archbishop of Moravia and Pannonia by the Pope of Rome. While in this post, Saint Methodius continued to establish worship in the Slavic language, he did a lot to enlighten the Slavs with the help of book writing.
The first teacher of Slovenian Methodius finished his high earthly ministry on April 6, 885. He was buried in the cathedral church of Velehrad, the capital of Great Moravia.
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.
CYRILLIC AND GLAGOLIC
The question of the conditions for the appearance of two alphabets in Old Slavonic writing, their comparative antiquity, their sources and their compilers has long been one of the most controversial and discussed.
In Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, the Day of Enlightenment, Culture and Slavonic Literature is an official national holiday.
The tradition of celebrating the Day of Slavic Literature arose in the middle of the 19th century, but its roots go back to the capital city of Pliska, the ancient capital of Bulgaria. It was here in 886, after the death of both enlighteners, that their disciples arrived - Clement, Naum, Gorazd, Angelary, whom the Bulgarian ruler Prince Boris received with triumphant honors.
In Pliska, an extensive program was soon developed for the distribution of the alphabet within the boundaries of the then Bulgarian state.
It so happened that just two decades after the adoption of Christianity in Bulgaria, thanks to the alphabet of Cyril and Methodius, they began to translate liturgical and theological literature into Slavonic. This is a significant fact because for the first time in the history of Christianity, the monopoly of the three "ancient sacred languages" - Latin, Greek and Jewish - in the spiritual life of Europe was violated (in France, the Gospel was translated into the national language only after three, in England - after five, and in Germany - seven centuries after Bulgaria).
In 1892, the music teacher from Rousse, Stojan Mihailovsky (1856-1927), wrote the text of the school-wide hymn called "Hymn of Saints Cyril and Methodius". The hymn consisted of 14 stanzas, of which the first six are usually performed. The Bulgarians know him by the first line "Varvi, the people are born!" (“Forward, reborn people!”). In 1900, the composer Panayot Pipkov (1871-1942), then a teacher in Lovech, wrote the music for the anthem.
With the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in Bulgaria in 1916, the church and secular holiday was combined into one - May 24th. In 1969, the church calendar was artificially separated from the secular one, and the holiday fell on May 11 and 24, respectively. In 1990, by decision of the 9th National Assembly of Bulgaria, May 24 was declared an official holiday - the Day of Bulgarian Education, Culture and Slavic Writing.
In Russia
And native Rus' will glorify the Holy Apostles of the Slavs ...
From a hymn in honor of Cyril and Methodius
In Russia, the first traditions of honoring the memory of Cyril and Methodius were established in the 11th century. One of the evidence for this is the Arkhangelsk Gospel of 1092, in which Cyril is mentioned on February 14, and Methodius on April 6. It was Russia that introduced the general date of celebration into the church calendar - May 11 (May 24 according to the new style).
Bishop Anthony of Smolensk (Amfiteatrov) attracted wide attention to the fate of the holiday of the Slavic enlighteners. The first honoring of the Slavic word took place in Moscow in 1862. In Novgorod, a monument "The Millennium of Russia" was opened, on which the images of Cyril and Methodius are immortalized, whose activities coincided with the formation of Russian statehood.
Since 1863, festive celebrations were also held in other cities, and in each city the program had its own characteristics. In Kyiv, for example, students founded the Slavic library of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
In pre-revolutionary Russia, the day of remembrance of the Thessalonica brothers was celebrated in different ways at different times. Widely - in 1869 and 1885, when a thousand years have passed since the death of the Slavic enlighteners, more modestly - in other years.
For some time, celebrations in honor of the creators of the first Slavic alphabet were not held at all.
The first scientific celebrations took place only in May 1963. Scientists then organized a conference dedicated to the 1100th anniversary of the creation of the Slavic alphabet.
The initiative to revive the celebration of the Days of Slavonic Literature in Russia belongs to the Murmansk Writers' Organization and, in particular, to the writer Vitaly Maslov. In 1986 in Murmansk the first holiday called "The Holiday of Writing" was held. As a sign of gratitude to the people of Murmansk for the renewal of ancient traditions, the Bulgarians presented the city with a monument to the creators of the Slavic alphabet.
In 1988, the holiday was especially lucky - it coincided with the 1000th anniversary of the baptism of Rus' and was held in ancient Novgorod. The baptism of Rus' marked the beginning of writing, but writing also contributed to the spread of the new faith. Here, in the ancient center of Russia, after Kiev, writing received its initial distribution.
In 1989, the main festivities were held in Kyiv. For the first time, the holiday was held with the active participation of the Foundation for Slavic Literature and Culture, established in 1989.
Since 1991, the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture has become a public holiday, the center of celebrations was located in Smolensk. Then, in order to unite the Slavic peoples on the basis of common roots, the Slavic course was carried out.
In 1992, Moscow became the center of the holiday. The First International Congress of Slavic Cultures took place in the capital. A monument to Cyril and Methodius was opened on Slavyanskaya Square.
Since 2010, Moscow has become the annual capital of the Days of Slavic Literature. This decision was made in March 2009 by the participants of the visiting meeting of the organizing committee of the holiday in Saratov. Metropolitan Yuvenaly of Krutitsy and Kolomna made such a proposal on behalf of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'. The proposal to appoint Moscow as the capital of the holiday was supported by the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Alexander Avdeev.
“The capital of the holiday should be Moscow, since this is a state, church holiday, and it should be held as actively as possible throughout the country. In this sense, the centers of subjects of the federation should become its regional capitals,” the minister said.
In Pskov
In Pskov, the festivities dedicated to Saints Cyril and Methodius first took place on April 6, 1885. During the celebrations, the Trinity Cathedral was presented with an icon of Saints Cyril and Methodius, purchased at the expense of the Pskov City Duma.
In the same year, a brotherhood was created in Pskov in the name of the holy first teachers. Its purpose is to raise charitable funds to support parochial schools, create parish libraries and maintain existing ones.
After the announcement in 1991 in Russia of the Days of Slavic Literature as a public holiday, in Pskov the celebrations began to be celebrated more widely and more diversely.
In 1993, an organizational meeting of the Pskov Religious and Philosophical Society named after Cyril and Methodius was held, which continued the educational traditions of the pre-revolutionary Cyril and Methodius Society.
In 1999, Pskov became the center for celebrating the Days of Slavic Literature and Culture.
On the Days of Celebrations, May 24, 1999, a memorial plaque dedicated to Saints Cyril and Methodius Equal-to-the-Apostles was unveiled on the wall of the Holy Trinity Cathedral. The board was made and presented to Pskov by the sculptor V. M. Klykov.
For more than 10 years, on May 24, on the Day of Slavic Literature, a holiday for graduates of the city's schools has been held in the Pskov Kremlin on Veche Square near the Trinity Cathedral.
By tradition, paying tribute and memory to Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius, the best graduates lay flowers at the memorial plaque to Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius at the walls of the Trinity Cathedral.
The film tells about the emergence of the Slavic alphabet - Cyrillic - and how Russia took the place of the leader of the Eastern Christian Cyrillic civilization.
The great saints Cyril and Methodius created a universal principle - every nation is worthy to know the Word of God in their native language. And now this principle continues to be implemented. The film tells how, on the basis of the Cyrillic alphabet, alphabets are created for the previously unwritten languages of the peoples of Russia. And a Russian Orthodox priest - the modern successor of Cyril and Methodius - comes on dogs to yurts and teaches Kamchatka Koryaks to read the Gospel printed in Cyrillic in Koryak.
But there were times when the fate of the Russian alphabet seemed to hang in the balance. In the 1920s, the Bolsheviks hatched plans to replace the Cyrillic alphabet with the Latin alphabet. Lunacharsky actively supported this project. Cyrillic was then considered a reactionary tsarist alphabet that hindered the world revolution. But the main goal of the Bolsheviks was, of course, to format the spiritual memory of the people in their own way, to deprive future generations of the opportunity to read everything that had been accumulated in the course of centuries of Russian history.
Day of Slavic Writing and Culture
The purpose of the lesson:
Reveal the meaning of the holiday: Day of Slavic Writing and Culture
Lesson objectives:
1. To instill in children a love for their native word, native language, and national history.
2. To introduce students to the origins of the creation of the Slavic alphabet.
3. Raise respect for the creators of the Cyrillic alphabet, national pride in the language.
Equipment:
Computer, presentation.
During the classes
Teacher's word:
Today we will talk about our history, about the emergence of Slavic writing. Every year on May 24, Russia celebrates the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture. A nation, a people, a state cannot live without culture, literacy, writing.
On May 24, the Slavic peoples - Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Bulgarians, Serbs, Czechs, Slovaks, Poles - celebrate a special holiday - "Day of Slavic Writing".
Across wide Rus' - our mother -
The bell ringing is spreading.
Now brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius
Glorified for their labors
They remember Cyril and Methodius -
Glorious Brothers Equal to the Apostles
In Belarus, Macedonia,
In Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Praise the wise brothers in Bulgaria,
In Ukraine, Croatia, Serbia.
All nations that write in Cyrillic,
What are called from ancient times Slavic,
Praise the feat of the first teachers,
Christian enlighteners.
Fair-haired and gray-eyed,
All bright in face and glorious in heart,
Drevlyans, Russians, meadows,
Tell me who are you?
WE ARE SLAVES!
Everyone is handsome with their article,
All different and all similar
You are now called - Russians,
Since ancient times, who are you?
WE ARE SLAVES!
Writing is a real treasure that a person has mastered.
So in ancient times, people exchanged information by sending each other various objects. It turned out cumbersome and not particularly clear. When people realized that exchanging message items is a troublesome business, they began to draw these items.
(3, 4, 5, 6 slide. Rock paintings)
Such images have been found on the walls of caves where ancient people once lived. These are the first steps of man to the creation of writing. Gradually, people began to replace the drawings with symbols.
(Slide 7. Rock symbols-letters)
The inscriptions were made on stones, rock, on the board. Of course, it was inconvenient to carry such “letters” over distances, and these signs could be understood in different ways.
Time passed. Gradually, people moved from drawing to signs, which they began to call letters. This is how writing was born.
(slide 8. The emergence of writing)
(9, 10, 11, 12, 13 slide. Cyril and Methodius)
On the screen you see an image of two brothers in monastic attire. They are Cyril (Konstantin in the world) and Methodius (Michael in the world). Who are Cyril and Methodius? (Report)
They were originally from the Macedonian city of Thessalonica. Cyril studied theology and taught philosophy. He was called a philosopher, and in Russian a sage. Since childhood, he dreamed of writing books understandable to the Slavs, and for this it was necessary to come up with Slavic letters. It turned out to be a very difficult task and Kirill alone could not have coped with it. His elder brother Methodius began to help him. They worked hard and as a result the alphabet appeared. It had 38 letters. Some of them were taken from the Greek alphabet, and some were specially invented to convey the sounds of Slavic speech. So the Slavic peoples got their own script - the alphabet, which was called Cyrillic in memory of its creator. It was in the IX century.
More than 1110 years ago, the brothers Cyril and Methodius brought the light of writing and knowledge to the lands of the Slavs. It happened in 863.
The brothers were born into a large family of a military commander who served in Thessalonica, in a town on the border of Bulgaria and Greece. Methodius was 6 years older than his brother. From childhood, the boys knew two languages: their native Greek and Slavic, because the population of the town consisted of half Greeks, half Slavs.
Constantine, thanks to a lively and quick mind, passion for learning and diligence, received an excellent education at the imperial court. Both brothers lived a spiritual life, did not attach much importance to wealth, fame, and career. The younger brother translated, wrote, creating the alphabet, in Slavonic. The elder one published books, ran a school, wrote hymns and poetic sermons.
First, Constantine depicted the sounds common to the Slavs and Greeks. He tried to record each unknown sound in different ways. If the signs seemed clumsy to him, he replaced them. Each letter should be simple and clear - easy to write. After all, the Slavs will need a lot of books. And the simpler the letters, the sooner you can rewrite the book. After all, inept people will begin to write, with hands unaccustomed to writing. The letters must also be beautiful, so that a person who has barely seen them immediately wants to master the letter.
In connection with the appearance of Slavic writing, the churches where German priests preached began to empty, and the churches where Slavic speech sounded were full. The Germans could not put up with this and declared the brothers and their books outlaws. It was then that the brothers and their disciples had to go to Rome. In Rome, the pope himself went out to the brothers, accepted the Slavic books, and consecrated them.
Konstantin was not destined to return to his homeland. Seriously ill, he took the tonsure, received the name Cyril, and died a few hours later. With this name, he remained to live in the bright memory of his descendants. Dying, Cyril said to his brother: “Here, brother, we were a couple in one team and plowed one furrow. And I fall on the field, having finished my day. Don’t you dare leave your teacher…”
Methodius, having buried his brother, returned to the Slavs, but on a false denunciation he was imprisoned. For two and a half years the light went out for the one who himself brought light to people. With great difficulty, the disciples managed to achieve the release of Methodius. His educational and teaching activities continued until the very last days.
(14, 15, 16 slide. ABC. Glagolitic and Cyrillic)
Glagolitic and Cyrillic are the first Slavic alphabets. The name of the alphabet "Glagolitic" comes from the word VERB, which means "speech". And "Cyrillic" is named after its creator. In Ancient Rus', the Glagolitic alphabet was used to transmit church texts and existed for 3 centuries, while Cyrillic was used in everyday writing. There are 43 letters in Cyrillic, later this alphabet became the basis of the Russian alphabet.
(17, 18, 19, 20, 21 slides. First books)
In 988, a palace school of “book teaching” was opened in Kyiv. A new center of book culture arose, the school connected Kievan Rus with European civilization.
Books in Rus' were very expensive. They were made on parchment: the skin of a sheep was soaked in lime, dried, then honey was rubbed.
From the well, such a blue depth
My Kitezh grows, four walls,
Gilded horse, lace shutters - apart ...
Rose of the East. Ros is illuminating.
Wooden fairy tale, lake peace,
Why do I need your shore, such an openwork?
In whimsical curves of patterned roofs?
Yes, shepherd's horn? Yes, pipe reeds?
Apparently, the archival memory began to hurt,
If there is nothing to regret in the wilds of concrete -
So at least beckon you from the depths,
From Cyrillic woven songs-epics.
Wooden fairy tale, forgotten Ros,
You pierce my soul with an arrow.
And I don't know why it's needed
Like water from a well, your old man ....
(22, 23, 24 slide. Birch bark letters)
In Rus', another material for writing was also used for a long time - birch bark. Signs on birch bark were applied with a bone rod.
Since the 10th century, literature based on the Glagolitic and Cyrillic alphabets has been spreading in the Old Russian language. Most often these were church books, teachings, learned works.
(25, 26, 27, 28, 29 slide. The first books and chroniclers)
(30 slide. The first printing presses in Rus')
Over time, more convenient machines appeared, and with them the modern alphabet.
Good book, my companion, my friend,
Leisure time is interesting with you.
You teach to be truthful and valiant,
Nature, people to understand and love.
I cherish you, I protect you.
I can't live without a good book.
(31, 32, 33 slide. ABC)
The appearance of the letters of the Slavic alphabet helps us see the world through the eyes of our ancestors. Each letter is individual, unique and has its own name: lead, people, beeches, az, earth.
The names of the letters were supposed to remind people of such words that should not be forgotten: “good”, “live”, “earth”, “people”, “peace”.
"Az" and "Buki". It turned out the word "AZBUKA".
(34 slide. Proverbs)
People say so: “First, “az” and “beeches”, then science.” It is from the basics that the path of each of us into the world of knowledge begins.
Guys, listen to the proverbs about the benefits of learning.
He who wants to know a lot needs little sleep.
To go into science is to endure torment.
By God's will, the light stands, people live by science.
Without pain, there is no science.
To think nothing - to turn sour for a century.
(Slide 35. Continue the proverb)
Only 43 sister letters look at us from an old scroll. Their names became the basis of the modern Russian language.
Russian language.
I love my mother tongue!
It is clear to everyone
He is melodious
He, like the Russian people, is many-sided,
As our power, mighty.
He is the language of the moon and planets,
Our satellites and rockets
At the round table
Speak it:
unambiguous and direct,
It is like the truth itself.
(36, 37 slide. Monuments to Cyril and Methodius)
In honor of the enlighteners Cyril and Methodius, a holiday was established - the Day of Slavic Writing and Culture. This holiday came to us from Bulgaria, where this tradition is over 100 years old. To this day, on the eve of the holiday, the Bulgarians lay flowers at the monuments to Cyril and Methodius.
In our country, the holiday has been celebrated since 1986. In 1992, the sculptor V. Klykov created a monument to the Slavic enlighteners, Cyril and Methodius, which was installed in Moscow.
On May 24, all our people will celebrate the Holiday of Slavic Literature and Culture. On this day, a monument to Cyril and Methodius was opened in Moscow on Slavyanskaya Square. At the foot of this monument, there is an Unquenchable Lampada - a sign of eternal memory. Since then, every year on May 24 we honor Cyril and Methodius.
It is a pity that we started celebrating the Slavic Literature Day very late, because in other Slavic countries this day is celebrated a long time ago, popularly, very colorfully and truly festive.
(38, 39 slide. Saints Cyril and Methodius)
The Thessalonica brothers Cyril and Methodius are the pride of the entire Slavic world. They said: doesn’t the sun shine for everyone, doesn’t it rain for everyone, doesn’t the earth feed everyone? All people are equal, all people are brothers, all are equal before the Lord, and everyone needs literacy. The Orthodox Church canonized the brothers Cyril and Methodius as saints.
In a narrow monastery cell,
In four blank walls,
About the land of ancient Russian
The story was written by a monk.
He wrote in winter and summer,
Illuminated by dim light.
He wrote from year to year
About our great people.
(N. Konchalovskaya)
And the Slavic alphabet, which was invented by the brothers Cyril and Methodius from the distant Greek town of Thessaloniki, helped to write down and convey to us the “cases of bygone days”.
(40 slide)
Two brothers, Cyril and Methodius,
We want to say thank you!
For the letters that we really need
To teach us to read.
There are many interesting facts in the history of writing. Here are some of them.
The biggest book in the world- "Super book", has dimensions of 2.74x3.07 m, weighs 252.6 kg and contains 300 pages. It was published in Denver, Colorado, USA in 1976.
The smallest book on sale, was printed on paper measuring 1x1 meter. This is a children's story "Old King Cole", published in 1985 in Scotland. Its pages can be carefully turned with a needle.
The smallest book in the world- until recently it was "Kobzar" T.G. Shevchenko is a miracle of the hands of a Ukrainian engineer, created with the help of microtechnology. It is made in a single copy and consists of twelve pages of text and two illustrations. The pages are sewn with dyed cobwebs, and you can turn them over with the pointed end of the hair. The cover is made of immortelle petal and decorated on both sides with golden stripes. Seven such publications easily fit on the end of a match, and the book can only be read with a magnifying glass. It can be easily threaded through the eye of a needle or hidden in the eyelashes. Later it turned out that this little book is not the limit for miniaturists. Zhmerinsky craftsman created a volume of poems by A.S. Pushkin with a volume of only 0.0064 cubic meters. mm! A portrait of the poet is engraved on the cover of the book. If you look at the book with the naked eye, it looks like a speck of dust, because it is 15 times smaller than a poppy seed. If you look through a microscope, you can see a rather plump volume.
Most original autograph writer belongs to Maxim Gorky. In the spring of 1937 Italian fishermen in the vicinity of Palermo caught a huge turtle weighing 100 kg. Their attention was drawn to the inscription made on the shell: “Released the tortoise Torto on April 1, 1922. The turtle weighs 52 kg and is 90 cm long. Toto is very fond of sardines. Maksim Gorky. Capri."
The first handwritten book in Rus'- "Courantes". She began publishing in 1621. by order of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich. The content of the newspaper was considered a state secret, since it contained excerpts from foreign newspapers about various events in Europe. The chimes were read only by the tsar and his inner circle. The newspaper was issued in a single copy.
The first printed newspaper in Rus'- Vedomosti began to be published by decree of Peter I and was intended for the mass reader.
The oldest library in the world is a collection of clay books of King Ashurbanipal in Nineveh (7th century BC).
The very first library in Rus' was created by Yaroslav the Wise in Kyiv in St. Sophia Cathedral in 1037.
The largest library in the world- Library of Congress in Washington DC.
The largest library in Russia– Russian State Library in Moscow.
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 Rus' 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 most beloved. 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.
The Day of Slavic Writing and Culture is a holiday that calls to pay tribute to the Slavic writing, the customs of our ancestors and honor the memory of the creators of the Slavic alphabets Cyril and Methodius. Celebrated May 24th.
Why is this holiday important?
The Day of Slavic Writing and Culture is not celebrated in the same way as the New Year or March 8th. And in general, only schoolchildren, teachers of language and literature, librarians and some officials know and remember about it.
However, the emergence of our own writing system plays a big role for us. It doesn't matter what language we write in - Ukrainian or Russian, they are both created on the basis of the Slavic Cyrillic alphabet.
Cyril and Methodius did a great job of giving the sounds of the Slavic language a graphic form. Thanks to their work, knowledge and translations of church books began to spread, which until then were available only in foreign languages. The creation of the Slavic writing system gave impetus to the development of the literary language and book publishing among many peoples.
The history of the holiday
In ancient times, this holiday was celebrated by all Slavic peoples. But over time, as a result of various historical and political events, it was no longer celebrated. At first, Cyril and Methodius were revered only by churches, as saints Equal to the Apostles, who made a huge contribution to the development of Christianity.
The Slavic countries resumed the celebration of the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture at different times: the Czechs - in the XIV century, the rest of the peoples around the XIX century. In Ukraine, the event was legalized in 2004, although back in the 19th century the Cyril and Methodius Brotherhood reminded of the role of Cyril and Methodius in the development of culture and education in Kievan Rus.
How the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture is celebrated
In addition to Ukraine, this holiday is celebrated by 8 more countries: Belarus, Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia, Russia, Montenegro, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
On this day, various events are held in educational institutions and libraries: laying flowers at the monument to Cyril and Methodius, talks, conferences, quizzes and concerts.
In Bulgaria, this is a national event. There, citizens hung wreaths of fresh flowers on the portraits of Saints Equal-to-the-Apostles and commemorate their anthem. There are book fairs and fairs.
After the accession of Bulgaria to the EU, the Cyrillic alphabet was accepted into the ranks of its official alphabets.
Traditionally, linguists, writers, librarians, and writers pay great attention to this date.
Interesting facts about Cyril, Methodius and Slavic writing
1) The Cyrillic alphabet was created on the basis of the Greek alphabet and consisted of 43 letters: 24 Greek and 19 special characters to indicate the sound features of the Slavic language.
2) It is still not known exactly which of the alphabets was created first: Cyrillic or Glagolitic. Many scholars believe that Cyril created only the Glagolitic alphabet, while the Cyrillic alphabet was written later by Methodius or the brothers' students.
3) Methodius outlived his brother by 16 years. The location of his grave is not known.
4) It is believed that the Glagolitic and Proto-Cyrillic alphabet existed even before the birth of the Equal-to-the-Apostles saints. The first was used for church services, and the second was used in everyday life. Therefore, the Glagolitic alphabet has more complex and refined letters than the Cyrillic alphabet. The Glagolitic alphabet retained its original form, while Cyril changed the Proto-Cyrillic alphabet.
5) Due to the lack of writing, the memory of ancient people was better developed than that of modern people. This is due to the fact that our ancestors had to memorize a large amount of information.
6) Among the Slavs, writing and reading books had a magical meaning and was perceived as a sacred act. They believed that the use of the sacred alphabet (Glagolitic) in everyday life leads to the loss of her magical abilities.
Cyrillic alphabets do not serve all Slavic languages. Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Slovenia switched to the Latin alphabet a long time ago.In such non-Slavic countries as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, the peoples of the North, the Caucasus, Buryatia, Bashkiria, Kalmykia and a number of other nationalities use the Cyrillic alphabet.
Celebrated: in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other Slavic countries
Church name: Equal-to-the-Apostles Methodius and Cyril, teachers of Slovenian
Established:
- Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation No. 568-1 dated January 30, 1991
- Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 1096/2004 dated 17.09.2004
- In Belarus, it has been celebrated since 1986 as a state-church holiday
Meaning: in honor of Saints Cyril and Methodius
Traditions:
- divine liturgies;
- scientific and practical conferences;
- religious processions;
- Exhibitions;
- cultural and leisure activities;
- pilgrimages.
The Day of Slavic Literature and Culture is celebrated in memory of two enlighteners - Cyril and Methodius. The brothers made a huge contribution to the development of Slavic society and its culture. The writing they created in the 9th century made it possible to capture the best pages of Russian history, the biographies of great people. The multiplied knowledge accumulated over many centuries by the Slavic people contributed to the spread of literacy. Socialization in the world civilization allowed him to take a corresponding place among other nations.
Who and when celebrates
The Day of Slavic Literature and Culture is celebrated annually on May 24, and 2018 is no exception. On January 30, 1991, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation No. 568-1, he received the status of a state holiday in Russia.
The date is celebrated by linguists, representatives of the progressive public and religious organizations, Slavic scholars, cultural workers.
history of the holiday
In Russia, the holiday of writing was first officially celebrated in 1863, when a decision was made 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.
The brothers Cyril and Methodius were born into a noble family of a Byzantine commander. Both were literate and educated people of their time. The elder brother Methodius at the beginning of his life devoted himself to military affairs, but humanitarian inclinations and a thirst for knowledge led him to the monastery. The youngest of the brothers - Cyril - from childhood was distinguished by philological inclinations. He determined for himself the path of an educator and purposefully walked towards it. Having received the priesthood, he conducted library activities in the Hagia Sophia and taught philosophical sciences.
The merit of the brothers lies in the fact that they created the Slavic alphabet, developed the methodology of Slavic word combinations. They translated several sacred 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 Oriental cultures. Summarizing their experience in the field of writing, the brothers created the first Slavic alphabet on the basis of Slavic scriptures. He became a great impetus for the development of culture and education in the Slavic states. Writing allowed the development of Russian book business and literature.
The significance of the contribution of the brothers-educators to the spread of writing, and with it religious knowledge, was highly appreciated by the ministers of the church. The brothers received the status of saints after their death and their own holiday.
