Sts. Cyril & Methodius

Feast Day: February 14

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, brothers and missionaries, are honored as the “Apostles to the Slavs” for their tireless work in spreading the Gospel to the Slavic peoples. Their feast day, celebrated on February 14, commemorates their dedication to evangelization, education, and the unity of the Church.

Brothers United in Mission

Cyril (born 827 A.D.) and Methodius (born 815 A.D.) were brothers from a noble family in Thessalonica, in the Byzantine Empire. They were both well-educated—Cyril was a brilliant linguist and philosopher, while Methodius had experience in government and administration.

Both discerned a calling to religious life and missionary work, combining their talents to serve Christ together.

Missionaries to the Slavic Peoples

In 863 A.D., the brothers were sent as missionaries to Great Moravia (present-day Czech Republic, Slovakia, and surrounding regions) at the request of the local ruler, who wanted missionaries who could preach in the native language.

Cyril and Methodius learned the local Slavic dialect and developed the Glagolitic alphabet, the first written script for the Slavic language, which later developed into the Cyrillic alphabet, still used in many Eastern European languages today.

They translated the Bible, the liturgy, and essential Church texts into Slavonic, allowing the people to worship and learn the faith in their own tongue—an unprecedented approach at the time.

Struggles and Perseverance

Despite resistance from some clergy who opposed worship in the vernacular, the brothers defended the use of the Slavic language in the liturgy before the pope in Rome. Pope Adrian II approved their mission and blessed the use of Slavonic in worship, recognizing the importance of reaching hearts through language and culture.

Cyril died in 869 A.D. in Rome, having taken monastic vows shortly before his death. Methodius continued the mission as Archbishop of Moravia, facing imprisonment and persecution, yet persevering until his death in 885 A.D..

Patrons of Unity and Evangelization

Sts. Cyril and Methodius were declared Co-Patrons of Europe by Pope St. John Paul II, recognizing their work in building bridges between Eastern and Western Christianity.

They are the patron saints of Eastern Europe, missionaries, translators, and those promoting unity among peoples.

A Witness to the Power of the Word of God

The lives of Sts. Cyril and Methodius remind the faithful that the Gospel transcends language, culture, and borders. Their legacy teaches that evangelization is most fruitful when it honors the dignity and culture of those it serves.

Sts. Cyril and Methodius, pray for us!