The Legacy of the Armenian Apostles of the Slavs: St. Methodius and St. Cyril

St. Methodius and St. Cyril, also known as the Apostles of the Slavs, were two of the most influential religious figures of the Byzantine Empire. They were born in the 9th century in Thessaloniki, the second-largest city of the empire, to an Armenian military family. Their father, Leon, was a drungarios, a high-ranking officer in the Byzantine army, and their mother, Maria, was a devout Christian.

The two brothers received a classical education and learned several languages, including Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Arabic, and Syriac. They also became well-versed in theology, philosophy, and literature. They both entered the ecclesiastical service and rose to prominent positions. St. Cyril became a philosopher and a librarian at the Hagia Sophia, the magnificent cathedral of Constantinople, while St. Methodius became a governor of a Slavic province and a monk at Mount Olympus.

The brothers are best known for their missionary work among the Slavic peoples, who inhabited the vast lands north and east of the Byzantine Empire. The Slavs had their own pagan beliefs and customs, and spoke various dialects that were not understood by the Byzantines. The brothers realized that in order to spread Christianity among the Slavs, they needed to translate the sacred scriptures and liturgy into their vernacular language. They also needed to create a new alphabet that could capture the sounds and nuances of the Slavic speech.

The brothers embarked on their mission in 862, when they were invited by the prince of Moravia, Rastislav, to preach the gospel to his people. They devised a new script, based on the Greek and Hebrew letters, and called it Glagolitic. They translated the Bible and the liturgical books into the Slavic language, using the dialect of Thessaloniki as the basis. They also trained local disciples to continue their work and established churches and schools throughout Moravia.

The brothers faced opposition and persecution from some of the German clergy, who insisted on the use of Latin as the only acceptable language for the church. The brothers defended their method and appealed to the pope, who supported them and recognized their achievements. The pope also ordained them as bishops and sent them to other Slavic regions, such as Bulgaria, Serbia, and Croatia, to spread the word of God.

In 860, St. Cyril was sent by the Byzantine emperor, Michael III, to the Khazars, a Turkic people who ruled over a large kingdom east of the Caucasus. The Khazars practiced Judaism, Islam, and paganism, and were interested in learning more about Christianity. St. Cyril engaged in a theological dialogue with the Khazar king and his court, and impressed them with his knowledge and eloquence. He also learned the Khazar language and alphabet, and wrote a treatise on the Christian faith in their script.

St. Cyril died in Rome in 869, shortly after returning from his mission. He was buried in the Basilica of San Clemente, where his relics are still venerated today. St. Methodius continued his work in Moravia and Pannonia, until his death in 885. He was buried in the cathedral of Velehrad, the capital of Moravia, where his tomb became a pilgrimage site.

The legacy of the two brothers is immense and lasting. They are revered as saints and co-patrons of Europe by the Catholic and Orthodox churches. They are celebrated as the founders of Slavic literature and culture by the Slavic nations. They are honored as the inventors of the Cyrillic alphabet, which is named after St. Cyril and is still used by more than 250 million people today. They are also recognized as the pioneers of inculturation, the process of adapting the gospel message to different cultures and languages.

The Armenian Apostles of the Slavs, St. Methodius and St. Cyril, are truly remarkable figures of history, who left a profound mark on the world with their faith, wisdom, and creativity.

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