Cyril and Method
Constantine, who later accepted the Slavic name of Cyril, and Method, were born in Thessaloniki. Their father was a powerful officer in the Byzantine Empire. The latest researches have proved that both he and his wife were of Slavic descent. Constantine and Method chose Greek clerical education and became priests. Upon their arrival to Great Moravia, Constantine was already a bishop and his older brother a deacon.
Their missionary work didn’t begin in Middle Europe. Constantine was sent to convert the Italian tribe of Saracens, but was almost murdered. His biggest success was discovering the remains of Pope Clement I. on his way from a mission in Ukraine.
Before leaving the Byzantium, Constantine who was a talented philologist, created a clerical lettering. This later evolved into Russian “Cyrilic” alphabet. The alphabet was widely used in Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia and the whole Eastern Europe.
In 863, Moravian prince Rastislav asked the Byzantine emperor, Michael III, to help him educate and Christianize his people. Two brothers from Thessaloniki were the answer sent to him. The arrival of Cyril and Method is celebrated on 5th July. This date is fictive and was made up by the Catholic Church to overshadow the day of Jan Hus, the inconvenient saint, who was executed by the Church Council on 6th July 1415.
And what differed Constantine and Method from other priests who have tried to reach the Czechs? Brothers from Thessaloniki spent time studying Slavic languages and created a mixture that everyone could understand – the so-called Old Church Slavic Language, sometimes referred to as Old Slovenian. They decided not to service in Latin, but instead chose to translate parts of Bible into this new language. At this time, the Church was still united, and Pope Hadrian II was aroused by the new approach to holy service. Yet, he needed militarily help from the Byzantine Emperor to fight the Arabs and so he decided to tolerate it.
During his visit to Rome, Constantine fell sick and died. Before his sudden death, he accepted the name of Cyril (Kyrillos). After him, Method became Moravia’s bishop. Method was never as religious as Constantine, when he was younger he worked in an office alongside his father. He was a great speaker and spent most of his time educating young men who wanted to become priests.
Method’s mission ended in 870 when Prince Rastislav was dethroned by his nephew Svatopluk. The new ruler had good relations with the Francs who preferred the Latin model of holy service. On his command, Method was imprisoned and his students were banished from the country. According to the rules, he remained bishop until 885 when he died. After this year, service was held in Latin.
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