Cyril and Methodius
Biographical Details:
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Biography:
Cyril and Methodius, born in Thessalonica in the early 9th century, were two Byzantine brothers who became prominent missionaries and played a crucial role in the Christianization of the Slavs. Known as the “Apostles to the Slavs”, Cyril (originally named Constantine) was born around 826, and Methodius around 815. They were both well-educated, with Cyril excelling in philosophy and theology, earning him the position of librarian at the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. Methodius initially pursued a career in administration before joining the monastic life. In 860, the brothers undertook their first major missionary journey to the Khazars in the Caucasus, where they successfully debated Jewish and Muslim scholars, helping to spread Christianity in the region.
The most significant period of their missionary work came in 863, when the brothers were sent by the Byzantine Emperor Michael III to Great Moravia at the request of Prince Rastislav, who sought to strengthen Christianity in his realm and reduce Frankish influence. Cyril and Methodius’s mission to the Slavs was groundbreaking because they developed a Slavic liturgy and script, known as Glagolitic, which allowed the Bible and other religious texts to be translated into Old Church Slavonic. This was a revolutionary step, as it allowed the Slavs to worship and study the scriptures in their own language rather than in Latin or Greek, empowering the local population and enhancing the spread of Christianity.
Their work gained the support of Pope Hadrian II, who approved their Slavic liturgy in 867. After Cyril’s death in 869, Methodius continued their mission, serving as Archbishop of Sirmium and facing ongoing resistance from German bishops. He was even imprisoned for a time, but eventually gained papal backing to continue his efforts.
Cyril died in 869, and Methodius in 885, but their legacy endured. Extant writings include parts of the Slavonic Bible and several liturgical texts, which continue to be significant as the earliest written records of the Slavic Christian tradition. They are venerated as saints by both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, and their work had a lasting impact on the religious and cultural development of the Slavic world. Their efforts not only Christianized the Slavic peoples but also helped shape the identity of nations like Bulgaria, Serbia, and Russia.
Extant Writings:
Writings Attributed to Saint Cyril (also known as Constantine the Philosopher):
- Proglas (Foreword) to the Slavic translation of the Gospels
- The Life of Constantine (biography of Cyril written after his death, likely by a disciple or colleague)
- Cyril’s Prayer of Thanksgiving
- Translations of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, the Gospels, & Psalms into Old Church Slavonic
- The Dispute with the Saracens
- Cyril’s theological debates with Muslim scholars during his travels to the Abbasid Caliphate.
- The Apology of the Slavonic Letters
Writings Attributed to Saint Methodius:
- The Life of Methodius (biography of Methodius, written by a disciple)
- The Nomocanon
- Translations of The Old Testament (possibly including Isaiah, the Prophets, and other books), The entire Divine Liturgy, & Patristic texts such as the works of Gregory of Nazianzus
- Pastoral Letters
- The Sermon on the Last Judgment
Quotes and Excerpts:
Quotes from Saint Cyril (Constantine the Philosopher)
Cyril’s Prayer of Thanksgiving:
“O Lord, my God, who have created all the angelic orders and spiritual powers, stretched out the heavens and established the earth, and brought all things out of nothing into being, you always listen to those who do your will and keep your commandments, and save those who put their trust in you.
O my God, listen to my prayer and keep your faithful flock, over which you have appointed me, your useless and unworthy servant.
Deliver them from the impious and heathen malice of those who blaspheme against you.
Build your Church and gather all your people into unity.
Make them a people of your chosen possession, of one heart, and true in the right faith and confession.
Inspire their hearts with your word and your teaching.
For your gift is eternal life, and the good gift is always yours.
And into your hands I commend my soul, O Lord, my Savior, my Creator, my Redeemer, and my Shepherd.” –Vita Constantini (Life of Constantine), Chapter 18. written ca 869.
On the Incarnation
“You say, ‘God is great.’ I, too, say that God is great, but this greatness is beyond comprehension, for it is infinite. How, then, can you limit His greatness by denying that He could become incarnate and save His creation?” –The Dispute with the Saracens, preserved in Vita Constantini, Chapter 9.
On the Trinity
“You worship the One who created the heavens and the earth, but we worship Him as well, recognizing His Word by which all things were made and the Spirit who gives life to all.” –The Dispute with the Saracens, preserved in Vita Constantini, Chapter 10.
Quotes from Saint Methodius
On Church Unity
“Guard the unity of faith, for it is the bond of peace and the seal of Christ’s love. Do not let disputes about words or traditions divide what God has made one.” –Pastoral Letters.
On Apostolic Succession
“The Church is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ Himself as the cornerstone. Let no other foundation be laid, for the true law is found in Him alone.” –Nomocanon, prologue attributed to Methodius.
On the Clergy
“You are called not to be served but to serve, not to seek worldly power but to lead souls to the heavenly kingdom. Remember the One who washed the feet of His disciples.” –Pastoral Letters.
“The Lord has entrusted you with the care of souls, not to rule as tyrants but to guide as shepherds, teaching with patience and living as examples of holiness. Let your light shine before those entrusted to you.” –Pastoral Letters.