#st methodius

[discoveringorthodoxy]

Equals of the Apostles and Teachers of the Slavs, St. Cyril and St. Methodius

Christ is with us! He is and always shall be!

In school, we are often taught that Martin Luther was the first to translate the Bible into a common language for all to understand. And while Martin Luther did translate the Bible from Latin to German for the common folk to understand, he was not the first to accomplish this feat. There are two saints who had achieved this over 700 years prior. These saints are Saints Cyril and Methodius. 

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St. Methodius and St. Constantine (Feast Days May 11th and 24th) were brothers born in Thessalonica. St. Methodius, the oldest of seven brothers, was in the military and became governor in one of the Slavic principalities that were dependent on the Byzantine Empire. This made it possible for him to learn the Slavic language. Ten years later, St. Methodius became a monk on Mount Olympus. 

St. Constantine was a smart man who studied with emperor Michael under the finest teachers in Constantinople. One such teacher was Saint Photius, who would later become the Patriarch of Constantinople (February 6). St. Constantine also studied all the current sciences and knew several languages. He studied the works of St. Gregory the Theologian. Because of his wealth in knowledge, St. Constantine became know as the “Philosopher”. After completing his education, the Saint was ordained into holy priesthood and appointed the curator of the patriarchal library at the church of Hagia Sophia. However, he soon left the capital and secretly went to a monastery. Being discovered there, he went back to Constantinople where he was appointed as an instructor in philosophy. While there, he even won a debate against Ananias, the leader of the iconoclasts. After this victory, the emperor sent Constantine to discuss the Holy Trinity with the Saracens, who were people who professed Islam. He also gained a victory against them. After he returned, he went to St. Methodius and spent his time in unceasing prayer and reading the works of the holy Fathers. 

Soon, the emperor summoned both of the brothers and sent them to preach the Gospel to the Khazars, a semi-nomadic Turkic people. During their journey, they stayed in the city of Korsun in order to make preparations. While there, they discovered the relics of the hieromartyr Clement, Pope of Rome (November 25). 

While in Korsun, St. Constantine found a Gospel and Psalter written in Slavonic (Russian letters) and a man who spoke the Slavic tongue. He learned from this man how to read and speak the language. Eventually the brothers arrived at the Khazars, where they won a debate with the Jews and Muslims by preaching the Gospel. On their way back, the brothers visited Korsun and took up the relics of St. Clement. Then, they returned to Constantinople. 

Later, they were called by Moravian prince Rostislav to instruct his people in the Orthodox Faith. Along with the help of their disciples Gorazd, Clement, Savva, Naum, and Angelyar, they devised a Slavonic alphabet and translated the books that were necessary for the celebration of the divine services. They translated the Gospel, Epistles, Psalter, and collected services into the Slavic tongue. This occured in the year 863, over 700 years before Martin Luther translated the New Testament. 

After they completed the translation, the holy brothers went to Moravia, where they began to teach the services in the Slavic language. This angered the German bishops, who celebrated the divine services in the Moravian churches in Latin. They were convinced that the divine services should be done in one of three languages: Hebrew, Greek, or Latin. However, St. Constantine said, “You only recognize three languages in which God may be glorified. But David sang, ‘Praise the Lord, all nations, praise the Lord all peoples (Psalm 116/117:1)’.’ Humiliated and bitter, the bishops complained to Rome. 

The holy brothers were then summoned to Rome for a decision to be made on the matter. As they set off to Rome, the brothers took with them the relics of St. Clement. Knowing that they were bringing these relics with them, Pope Adrian met them along the way with his clergy. The brothers were greeted with honor and the Pope gave permission to have the divine services in the Slavonic language. He then ordered the books translated by the brothers to be placed in the Latin churches, and to serve the Liturgy in the Slavonic language.

While in Rome, St. Constantine fell ill and the Lord revealed that he would die. So, he was tonsured into the monastic schema with the name of Cyril. On February 14, 869, St. Cyril died at the age of 42. Before he died, St. Cyril commanded St. Methodius to continue their task of enlightening the Slavic people with the true Faith. 

After St. Cyril’s death, the Pope sent Methodius to Pannonia, a province of the Roman Empire, and consecrated him as Archbishop of Moravia and Pannonia. In Pannonia, St. Methodius and his disciples continued to distribute service books written in the Slavonic language. This once again angered the German bishops, who arrested and tried the Saint. The Saint was sent to Swabia where he endured several sufferings for two and a half years. 

After being set free by the order of Pope John VIII of Rome and being restored to his archdiocese, St. Methodius continued to preach the Gospel to the Slavs. He baptized the Czech prince Borivoi and his wife Ludmilla (September 16), as well as one of the Police princes. The German bishops began to persecute him again because he did not accept the heretical teaching of the Holy Spirit proceeding from both the Father and Son. St. Methodius was summoned to Rome where he was able to justify himself before the Pope and preserve the Orthodox teaching. Afterwards, he was sent to Velehrad, the capital of Moravia. 

Velehrad is where he spent the remaining years of his life. St. Methodius spent the rest of his life, with the assistance of two of his former pupils, translating the entire Old Testament into Slavonic. The only books he did not translate was the Book of Maccabbess, the Nomocanon (Rule of the Holy Fathers) and Paterikon (book of the Holy Fathers). 

Before he died, St. Methodius designated one of his students, Gorazd, as a worthy successor to himself. The saint predicted the day of his death and died on April 6, 885, at the age of 66. The saint’s burial service was chanted in three languages, Slavonic, Greek, and Latin. 

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The story of Sts. Cyril and Methodius is an amazing one. As a STEM student,  I found it fascinating that St. Cyril had studied all of the current sciences of his time. And as someone who is continually seeking knowledge, his story gave me a sense of hope that I can use what I learn to glorify God and to spread His message. 

We should keep the spirit of Sts. Cyril and Methodius as we approach the modern era. Today, thanks to the Internet, we are connected to people from all around the world that come from all sorts of cultures. One thing I do appreciate from the Protestant movement is that there is a passion to translate the Bible into other languages and go out among other cultures to spread it. It does help spread the Gospel and we ought to do as Orthodox Christians. 

But on a more local issue, we should focus on making our services more accessible to people in the West. In the US, where I’m from, I’ve seen a problem where the liturgy is not performed in English. While I understand having the liturgy in for example, Greek, for new immigrants, it also cuts off any potential new converts for the local population. Having the liturgy mostly in English or even a Spanish service could help our population greatly. But this is just my humble opinion. 

Until next time and may God bless all of you!

- Joanna

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Sources:

“Equals of the Apostles and Teachers of the Slavs, Cyril and Methodius.” Orthodox Church in America, https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2001/05/11/101350-equals-of-the-apostles-and-teachers-of-the-slavs-cyril-and-metho.

“Methodios & Cyril, Equal-to-the Apostles Illuminators of the Slavs - Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.” Go to Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, https://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=486&type=saints.

[proud-spaniard]

514x800 Saints Cyril and Methodius, painting by Jan Matejko, 1885

[anastpaul]

One Minute Reflection – 7 July – ' ... If you say you abide in Christ, you ought to walk as He walked. ... '

One Minute Reflection – 7 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood” – Saint Cyril (827-869) and Saint Methodius (826-885) “Apostles to the Slavs,” Sibling Brother Bishops, Confessors – Romans 6:19-23; Matthew 7:15-21 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/ “By their fruits you shall know them.”- Matthew 7:16 REFLECTION – “Do you believe in Christ? Do the works of Christ, so that your…

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (June 14)

St. Methodius (or St. Methodios I) worked for unity and reconciliation in the Eastern Church and served as the Patriarch of Constantinople the last five years of his life.

Born in Syracuse, he first felt the call to enter religious life while in Constantinople, where he had gone to seek a position at court.

He left for the island of Chinos, where he built a monastery and started a monastic community.

However, his time at the monastery was short-lived since he was summoned by the Patriarch of Constantinople to help govern the diocese and create unity after a debate broke out on the use of icons in worship.

While in Rome seeking the Pope’s help, he was exiled for seven years.

He returned as patriarch in 842 and continued to work for unity.

[catholic-saint-tournament]

I was about to recommend St. Catherine of Sienna and-or St. Hildegard von Bingen, also St. Jadwiga of Poland, but I see You've already got them all, so You can treat this ask as their propaganda.

Among traditional/folk Saints I can think of St. Florian (commonly venerated as a patron of firefighters), St. Maurice, and Saints Cosmas and Damian (patrons of doctors).

Among others: St. Cyril and Methodius (apostles of the Slavs) St Joseph of Cupertino (patron of pilots, astronauts and people with learning disabilities)

there's also St. Hyacinth of Poland, legends of whom associate him with pierogi :D

OOOOOOOH SO MUCH GREATNESS IN JUST ONE ASK!

Ok, votes added for St Catherine of Siena, St Hildegard, St Hedwig, St Hyacinth, and St Joseph of Cupertino.

New entries created for Sts Cyril and Methodius (package deal), the Slavic missionaries. SUPER fun fact: their feastday is February 14 and I prefer to celebrate that than St Valentine.

As for the folk/traditional saints - too late to add them to the bracket! :(

[timetravelingmachine]

"Kill them with kindness" Wrong. CURSE OF SIMEON

А Б В Г Д Е Ж З И Й К Л М Н О П Р С Т У Ф Х Ц Ч Ш Щ Ъ Ь Ю Я

“kill them with kindness” Wrong. CURSE OF RA 𓀀 𓀁 𓀂 𓀃 𓀄 𓀅 𓀆 𓀇 𓀈 𓀉 𓀊 𓀋 𓀌 𓀍 𓀎 𓀏 𓀐 𓀑 𓀒 𓀓 𓀔 𓀕 𓀖 𓀗 𓀘 𓀙 𓀚 𓀛 𓀜 𓀝 𓀞 𓀟 𓀠 𓀡 𓀢 𓀣 𓀤 𓀥 𓀦 𓀧 𓀨 𓀩 𓀪 𓀫 𓀬 𓀭 𓀮 𓀯 𓀰 𓀱 𓀲 𓀳 𓀴 𓀵 𓀶 𓀷 𓀸 𓀹 𓀺 𓀻 𓀼 𓀽 𓀾 𓀿 𓁀 𓁁 𓁂 𓁃 𓁄 𓁅 𓁆 𓁇 𓁈 𓁉 𓁊 𓁋 𓁌 𓁍 𓁎 𓁏 𓁐 𓁑 𓀄 𓀅 𓀆

[archaeologyinbulgaria]

Archaeologists Research Two Noble Families in First Bulgarian Empire’s Capital Veliki Preslav

Part of the ruins of medieval Bulgarian capital Veliki Preslav (Great Preslav), First Bulgarian Empire. Photo: National Institute and Museum of Archaeology, Europeana Carare Project Archaeologists are researching the lives of two noble families from Veliki Preslav (“Great Preslav”), the capital of the First Bulgarian Empire in 893-970 AD during the excavation of an early medieval monastery there,…

[hzaidan]

08 Works, Today, June 14th, is Saint Methodius I's day, his story in Paintings #165

Unknown artistMethodius I of ConstantinopleBulgarian icon St. Methodius I, also spelled Methodios, (born 788/800, Syracuse, Sicily — died June 14, 847, Constantinople)was patriarch of Constantinople from 843 to 847… Please follow link for full post

[hiljametsa]

Happy Sts. Cyril and Methodius Day.

[pretordh]

Battle near Kruty

HOW THE YOUNG PEOPLE DEFENDED KYIV

On January 29, 1918, the battle near Kruty took place. At that time, about 400 cadets and students held back the attack on Kyiv by the almost 4000 strong Bolshevik army. The Battle of Kruty took place at the Kruty railway station in modern Chernihiv Oblast, 130 kilometers from Kyiv. It lasted more than five hours.

The Russians had a tenfold advantage in manpower, they had an armored train and artillery. Averkiy Goncharenko commanded the UNR troops near Kruty. Thanks to the advantageous position and the heroism of the fighters, the Ukrainians managed to inflict significant losses on the Russians and restrain the offensive until dark. Then, under the pressure of the enemy, most of the units retreated in an organized manner to the echelons at the station nearby and went towards Kyiv, destroying the railway tracks behind them. But one group of students - 27 young men - got lost in the dark and returned to the Kruty station, which at that time was already occupied by the Bolsheviks. They were captured. The prisoners were tortured and then executed. Later, some of the heroes were buried at the Askold grave in Kyiv.

Today, the names of 20 of them are known. These are students of the People's University Oleksandr Sherstyuk, Isidor Puryk, Borozenko-Kononchuk, Golovaschuk, Chyzhov, Sirik, Omelchenko (centurion); students of St. Volodymyr Kyiv University Oleksandr Popovych, Volodymyr Shulgin, Mykola Lyzogub, Bozhko-Bozhynskyi, Dmytrenko, Andriiv; high school students of the 2nd Cyril and Methodius high school Andriy Sokolovskyi, Yevhen Ternavskyi, Volodymyr Hnatkevych, Grihyr Pipskyi, Ivan Sorokevich, Pavlo Kolchenko (ensign), Mykola Hankevich.

[heavenlybackside]

St. Cyril and Methodius Cemetery,

Bethlehem Pennsylvania....

[andijaart]

+++🙏🏻God Bless🕊️+++

St. Methodius of Peshnosh, Abbot

MEMORIAL DAY JUNE 17

We kindle love for God from our youth, having hated all worldly goods, you loved Christ Alone and therefore settled in the desert, created a monastery in it and, gathering many monks, received from God the gift of miracles, Father Methodius, and you were a zealot and fasterer about Christ, like St. Sergius, with him at Christ Ask God for health and salvation for Orthodox Christians and great mercy for our souls.

💫International Orthodox Art Corporation Andcross May the blessing of the Lord be upon you!

[why-bless-your-heart]

ash wednesday is on st. valentine’s cyril’s and methodius’s day this year, believe it or not.

can’t spell “valentine” without “lent”!

[warismenstrualenvy]

“Four years ago, I had the pleasure to meet him and directly delight in his innocent kindness and simplicity. People from Sofia know him as Elder Dobri Dobrev from the village Baylovo. He is a 96 year old elder who could often be seen standing in front of the church St. Alexander Nevsky or St. Methodius and Cyril and their five disciples with his metal cashbox and begging for money. He gives the collected money for renewing of the monasteries and churches or to poor people.

I met him at the Church of St. Kyriaki, when I was attending the Holy Liturgy which was led by several bishops, in the presence of the graceful relics of St. Stephen Milutin the King. Simply, he entered through the church gate, stood in front of the relics and, as a young boy, made a few deep bows [prostrations]. That was an amazing scene, especially because of the feeling of unworthiness when God crosses our life-path with one of His righteous men."

— Maran Ata on Bulgarian Elder Dobri, a holy man of God (x)

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (June 14)

St. Methodius worked for unity and reconciliation in the Eastern Church and served as the Patriarch of Constantinople the last five years of his life.

Born in Syracuse, he first felt the call to enter religious life while in Constantinople, where he had gone to seek a position at court.

He left for the island of Chinos, where he built a monastery and started a monastic community.

However, his time at the monastery was short-lived since he was summoned by the Patriarch of Constantinople to help govern the diocese and create unity after a debate broke out on the use of icons in worship.

While in Rome seeking the Pope’s help, he was exiled for seven years.

He returned as patriarch in 842 and continued to work for unity.

[anastpaul]

Pentecost VII, Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul, Onze Zoeten Dame van Den Bosch, Arras / Our Lady of Arras, Netherlands (1380), Sts Cyril and Methodius, St Lawrence Brindisi and the Saints for 7 July

Pentecost VII Onze Zoeten Dame van Den Bosch, Arras / Our Lady of Arras, Netherlands (1380) – 7 July:HERE:https://anastpaul.com/2021/07/07/onze-zoeten-dame-van-den-bosch-arras-our-lady-of-arras-netherlands-1380-and-memorials-of-the-saints-7-july/ Saint Cyril (827-869)Saint Methodius (826-885)“Apostles to the Slavs,” Sibling Brother Bishops, Confessors, Theologians, Missionaries, Writers,…