Saint Cyril and Methodius

Saints Cyril and Methodius were two brothers. They were born in the 800s. They lived in the city of Thessalonica, which is now in Greece. Their family was Christian. They grew up learning both Greek and the Slavic language. This helped them later in their mission.

Cyril’s birth name was Constantine. He later took the name Cyril when he became a monk. Methodius kept his name. Both brothers became priests. They were well educated and knew many languages. They loved the Church and wanted to teach others about Jesus.

The Church sent them to a place called Great Moravia. This was a Slavic land in Central Europe. The people there asked for teachers who could explain the Christian faith in their own language. Cyril and Methodius said yes. They went to help.

The brothers did not just preach. They also created a new alphabet. This helped the people read the Bible and pray in their own language. Their work helped spread the faith to many Slavic nations.

Cyril and Methodius faced many problems. Some people did not like that they used the Slavic language in church. But the brothers kept going. They trusted God and stayed faithful to their mission.

Today, the Church honors them as saints. They are called “Apostles to the Slavs.” Pope John Paul II named them co-patrons of Europe in 1980. Their work still matters today. They showed how the Gospel can be shared with all people, in every language.

Cyril and Methodius were born in the city of Thessalonica. This city was part of the Byzantine Empire. It was a busy place with many people and different cultures. Their family spoke Greek, but many people around them spoke the Slavic language. The brothers learned both.

Methodius was the older brother. He was born around the year 815. Cyril was born later, around 827. Their father was a government official. He worked for the emperor. Their family was Christian and taught them to pray and trust in God.

Cyril was more interested in books and learning. He went to school in Constantinople, the capital of the empire. He studied with smart teachers and became a professor. Later, he became a monk and took the name Cyril. Methodius worked in government like their father. Later, he became a priest and then a bishop.

Cyril learned many languages. He also studied philosophy and the Bible. People said he was very smart. The emperor noticed his talent and sent him on special missions. He shared his faith with others and spoke with people from many lands.

Even though their paths were different at first, both brothers loved God. They also cared about people. When the time came, they worked together. They would later become famous for teaching the faith in a way people could understand.

Their early years helped prepare them for their mission. They knew different languages. They understood different cultures. And they had strong faith. This would help them bring the Good News to many others.

In the year 863, a message came to the emperor in Constantinople. A ruler from a land called Great Moravia had asked for help. He wanted teachers who could explain the Christian faith to his people. He wanted them to teach in the Slavic language.

The emperor chose Cyril and Methodius for the mission. He knew they could speak the Slavic language. He also knew they were strong in faith and learning. The brothers said yes and began the journey to Moravia.

When they arrived, they saw that many people wanted to follow Jesus. But there was a problem. The people did not understand Latin or Greek, which were the main church languages. So the brothers decided to teach in the language of the people.

Cyril made a new alphabet to write the Slavic language. It was called the Glagolitic alphabet. He used it to translate the Bible and prayers. The people were happy. Now they could pray and read about Jesus in their own words.

The brothers trained other men to teach and lead the churches. They helped build up the faith in Moravia. Their work spread to other Slavic lands. More people began to follow Jesus.

Cyril and Methodius believed that every group of people should hear the Gospel in their own language. They showed great respect for the people they served. Their mission helped bring the light of Christ to many places.

When Cyril and Methodius went to Great Moravia, they saw a big problem. The people could not read the Bible. They could not join fully in the prayers at church. The reason was simple. The Bible and the prayers were in Greek or Latin. The people spoke Slavic.

Cyril wanted to help. So he made a new alphabet. It was called Glagolitic. It was the first alphabet made for the Slavic language. This was a new thing. No one had written the Slavic language down before.

Cyril used this alphabet to translate parts of the Bible. He also translated church prayers and songs. This helped the people worship in their own language. They could understand the words. They could read and learn the faith.

Methodius helped with the teaching. He and Cyril trained others to read and write. They taught people to pray and sing in their own tongue. This brought joy to the people. It helped the faith grow.

Some leaders in the Church did not like this at first. They said only Latin, Greek, and Hebrew should be used in church. But Cyril and Methodius believed that every language could be used to praise God.

Their new alphabet was a gift to the Slavic people. It opened the door to learning and prayer. It helped build a strong Christian life in their land. Later, another alphabet called Cyrillic was made based on their work. It is still used today in many countries.

Even though many people loved what Cyril and Methodius were doing, not everyone agreed with them. Some church leaders did not like that they used the Slavic language in the liturgy. They believed only Latin, Greek, or Hebrew should be used in church. They thought the Slavic language was not good enough for worship.

Some political leaders also felt uneasy. They worried that the brothers had too much influence. They did not like change. They did not want the people to grow closer to teachers they could not control. Cyril and Methodius faced pressure to stop using the Slavic language and return to Latin.

To defend their work, the brothers went to Rome. They spoke to the pope and explained what they were doing. The pope listened. He saw that their mission was good. He gave his blessing and said they could keep using the Slavic language in church.

This support from the pope helped for a while. But after Cyril died in Rome, Methodius still faced problems. Some people continued to fight against their work. Methodius was even put in prison for a short time. Still, he did not give up. He kept leading, teaching, and translating.

Their story shows that doing good work is not always easy. Sometimes people will push back. But Cyril and Methodius stayed faithful. They trusted God and stayed true to their mission.

Cyril died in the year 869. He died in Rome. Before he died, he became a monk and took the name Cyril. He asked God to bless the mission and the people he served. He was buried in a church in Rome.

Methodius went back to Great Moravia. He kept teaching the people and leading the church. He was made a bishop. He faced many problems. Some leaders did not like his use of the Slavic language. Still, he stayed strong and kept going. He died in the year 885.

After their deaths, their students kept the mission going. Some of them went to other Slavic lands like Bulgaria and Serbia. They used the Glagolitic alphabet to teach and pray. They also helped create a new alphabet called Cyrillic. It was easier to write. It was named after Cyril.

The Cyrillic alphabet spread to many places. It is still used today in Russia, Ukraine, and other countries. Because of Cyril and Methodius, the Bible and church prayers could be shared with many more people.

Their work lived on through others. Their mission helped whole nations become Christian. Even after they died, their light did not go out.

The Church remembers Saints Cyril and Methodius with love and respect. Their feast day is February 14. On this day, many people in Europe and other parts of the world thank God for their work. They are honored in both the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.

The brothers are called the “Apostles to the Slavs.” This means they brought the Good News to the Slavic people. Because of their mission, many countries became Christian. These include places like Bulgaria, Serbia, and Russia.

In 1980, Pope John Paul II gave them a special title. He named them “Co-Patrons of Europe.” This means they are saints who watch over Europe. He said they helped bring faith and unity to many nations.

Today, people remember Cyril and Methodius as teachers and peacemakers. They showed that every culture and language matters. They showed that the Gospel is for everyone.

We can learn from their example. They were brave, kind, and wise. They trusted God and served others. They remind us to respect all people and to share the faith in ways others can understand.

Cyril & Methodius: Illuminators of the Slavs

Cyril & Methodius: Illuminators of the Slavs by Jerry McCollough tells the story of two brothers who helped the Slavic people learn about Jesus. They used their talents to create a written language so people could read the Bible. This book shares how the Cyrillic alphabet began and shows the Christian roots of the Slavic languages. With full-color pictures, it is great for families, homeschoolers, and anyone who wants to learn more about Slavic history and faith. The story is easy to follow and helps readers understand the mission and love of Saints Cyril and Methodius.