Saints Cyril and Methodius Day
July 5, Saturday
History of the Holiday
Saints Cyril and Methodius, brothers from the Byzantine city of Thessalonica, are known for creating the Glagolitic alphabet—the first Slavic alphabet, on the basis of which the Cyrillic alphabet was developed. They preached Christianity among the Slavic peoples, translated the Bible into Old Church Slavonic, and thereby contributed to the spread of Christianity and literacy among the Slavic nations.
The Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius is celebrated in memory of the death of Cyril (his death day is February 14 in the Julian calendar, which corresponds to February 27 in the Gregorian calendar), as well as on the day of remembrance of Methodius, who died on April 6 in the Julian calendar (which corresponds to April 19 in the Gregorian calendar).
Goals of the Holiday
The holiday serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and developing Slavic culture and language. It also emphasizes the significance of education and the dissemination of writing among the peoples.
The Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius is an opportunity to honor their contribution to the development of Christianity and culture in Slavic lands. This day also helps strengthen cultural and religious ties among the Slavic peoples.
How the Holiday is Celebrated
The Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius is often celebrated with church services held in Orthodox churches. In some countries, festive events such as concerts, exhibitions, and lectures are organized, dedicated to the cultural heritage and achievements of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
In Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, this day is an official holiday, and it is customary to focus on issues related to language, literacy, and education.
Significance of the Holiday
The Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius holds great significance for the Slavic peoples, as it reminds them of the origin of their writing system and the importance of education for cultural development. This day strengthens the sense of pride in their culture and language and contributes to the preservation and spread of Slavic identity.