Sts. Cyril (826–869) and Methodius (815–885) were brothers from Thessalonica, in Greece, who in the ninth century brought the Gospel to the Slavic peoples of Central Europe, created an alphabet for their language, and translated the Scriptures and the liturgy into Slavonic, so that the people could pray and hear God’s word in their own tongue. They are called the Apostles of the Slavs, and in 1980 Pope St. John Paul II named them co-patrons of Europe with St. Benedict. Their feast day in the Roman calendar is February 14, the day Cyril died in Rome, which also happens to be St. Valentine’s Day. Below are their story, Scripture, the prayer of their feast and prayers for Europe and for Christian unity.
A short prayer to Sts. Cyril and Methodius, written for this page:
Sts. Cyril and Methodius, you brought the Gospel to the Slavs in their own language.
Pray for Europe, East and West, that it may rediscover its Christian roots,
and for all Christians, that we may be one. Amen.
Who were Sts. Cyril and Methodius?
The brothers were born to a Christian family in Thessalonica, a city where many Slavs lived. Methodius, the elder, served as a governor before becoming a monk; Constantine, the younger, later known by his monastic name Cyril, was a brilliant scholar called “the Philosopher,” who taught at Constantinople. In 863 Prince Rastislav of Great Moravia, in today’s Czech Republic and Slovakia, asked the Byzantine emperor for teachers who could explain the faith in the Slavic language. The emperor sent the two brothers.
Before they left, Cyril created an alphabet for the Slavic language, the Glagolitic script, and with Methodius began translating the Gospels and the liturgy. In Moravia they taught, trained clergy and celebrated the liturgy in Slavonic, which brought opposition from German clergy who held that only Latin, Greek and Hebrew were fit for worship. The brothers went to Rome, bringing with them the relics of Pope St. Clement I, which Cyril had found years before in Crimea. Pope Adrian II welcomed them, placed their Slavonic books on the altar of St. Mary Major, and approved the Slavonic liturgy. Cyril fell ill and died in Rome on February 14, 869; he is buried in the Basilica of San Clemente. Methodius was consecrated archbishop and returned to the Slavs, where he endured imprisonment by his opponents but finished the translation of the Bible before his death in 885. The Cyrillic alphabet, later developed by their disciples and named in Cyril’s honor, is used today for Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Serbian and other languages.
Scripture
At Pentecost, everyone heard the apostles in his own language (Acts 2:4–6, Douay-Rheims):
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.
Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
And when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded in mind, because that every man heard them speak in his own tongue.
The prayer of their feast from the 1916 daily missal:
O almighty everlasting God, who didst grant that the Slav peoples should come to a knowledge of thy Name through thy blessed Confessors and Bishops Cyril and Methodius, grant that as we glory in their feast we may have part in their fellowship. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God world without end. Amen.
What are Sts. Cyril and Methodius the patrons of?
- Europe, as co-patrons with St. Benedict, St. Bridget of Sweden, St. Catherine of Siena and St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
- The Slavic peoples, especially the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria and North Macedonia
- Ecumenism and unity between East and West
- Translators, linguists and those who preach in other cultures
Prayers
Written for this page.
For Europe
Sts. Cyril and Methodius, co-patrons of Europe, pray for its peoples and nations.
Heal their divisions, protect their families, and make them once again a home of faith and hope. Amen.
For Christian unity
Lord, Cyril and Methodius were sent from the Church of the East and welcomed by the Church of Rome.
Through their prayers, heal the wounds between Christians and make us one, as you and the Father are one. Amen.
Feast day
The memorial of Sts. Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop, is February 14 in the General Roman Calendar (before 1969 it was July 7). In the Eastern Churches and in several Slavic countries they are honored on May 11 or July 5.
Frequently asked questions
Why are Cyril and Methodius called Apostles of the Slavs?
Because they brought the Gospel, the Scriptures and the liturgy to the Slavic peoples in their own language.
Did St. Cyril invent the Cyrillic alphabet?
He created the Glagolitic alphabet; the Cyrillic alphabet was developed a little later by his disciples and named in his honor.
When is the feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius?
February 14.
More saints
- St. Benedict prayer
- St. Catherine of Siena prayer
- St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
- St. Valentine prayer
- St. Clement of Rome
- Saint of the day
Texts and sources
- Acts 2:4–6 (Douay-Rheims).
- The Mass Every Day of the Year (1916), Sts. Cyril and Methodius (July 7), Collect, public domain (archive.org).