May 24: Day of Slavic writing and culture. Events dedicated to the holiday

In those years when there was a split between the Western Church and its Eastern Orthodox sister, the process of Christianization of peoples began to grow in the Slavic lands with renewed vigor. Looking back to the past, we see that the Lord called them to fill the ranks of his church, sending them to them from the educated and advanced, - at that time - Byzantium wise teachers. Thanks to them, the light of Orthodoxy for all the Slavs fully shone.

Brothers from Thessaloniki

The Day of Slavic Literature and Culture, celebrated on May 24, was a holiday from ancient times. And although he wore a different name, but the meaning was the same - honoring the memory of the two great enlighteners, with the works of their wreaths of holiness. These teachers of the Slavic peoples were born in the 9th century, in one of the largest cities of Byzantium - Thessaloniki (in other words - Thessalonica), but the main thing of their life they committed in the Slavic lands, to go into which they were vouchsafed by the Lord.

Cyril (in baptism Constantine) and Methodius were siblings and grew up in a rich and educated family. Their father, a professional military man, served the emperor and held high posts at court. From early childhood, the brothers, besides their native Greek, heard the Slavonic language, which was spoken by many representatives of tribes living around. Over time, the boys mastered him perfectly. Mefody's elder brother, deciding to follow in his father's footsteps, became a military man and even made significant progress in this area, but eventually abandoned his military career and became a simple monk.

Future enlighteners of the Slavs

His younger brother Constantine, having received a brilliant education, still at home, became the creator of the Glagolitic alphabet - the Slavic alphabet - and proceeded to translate the Gospel into this language. It is known that while in Constantinople, he studied philosophy, dialectics, mathematics and a number of other sciences among the best teachers of his time. Soon after becoming a priest, he received the place of the library superintendent at the famous St. Sophia Cathedral, and a year later - a teacher at Magnauri University, who had just finished it. He greatly enriched his education during his stay in Korsun, where he stayed for a considerable time together with Byzantine diplomats.

The mission of the brothers in Bulgaria

But the main thing was waiting for the brothers to come. In 862, a delegation from Moravia arrived in Constantinople from a local ruler who asked him to send mentors who could convey the teachings of Christ to their people in their native language. In response, the emperor and the patriarch sent brothers to fulfill this great mission. A year later Constantine, along with Methodius and his disciples, became the creators of the alphabet, based on the Old Slavonic language, and translated into the Bulgarian series of books from the Holy Scripture.

While in Moravia, the brothers conducted extensive educational activities among the local population. They not only taught literacy, but also helped organize worship in the Bulgarian language. Their mission lasted about three years, during which they created the necessary base for the baptism of Bulgaria, which took place in 864. In 867, when he was already in Rome, Constantine had fallen from a serious illness, and shortly before his death he was tonsured as a monk under the name of Cyril.

Feast of the Saints Brothers

In memory of the deeds of these great enlighteners, the Day of Slavic Literature and Culture was established on May 24. Its roots go back to the X-XI century, when in Bulgaria their annual commemoration, which took place on May 24th, became custom. The memory days of each of them were set separately. All this indicates the recognition of the invaluable merits of the brothers in front of the national culture of the Slavic peoples. Since the XVIII - XIX centuries - a period that went down in history as the Bulgarian revival - began to celebrate the Day of the Slavonic Writing.

In Russia, the celebration of this day came into custom rather late. Only in 1863 he was put into use by a special resolution. And in the not too distant past, in 1985, in connection with the 1100th anniversary of the day of the saint Methodius, it was decided to consider this day not only as a religious holiday, but also as a nationwide one. That's why the Day of Slavonic writing is celebrated on May 24.

Government and Church Initiatives

In 1991, the celebrations were given an official status. At a government meeting on January 30, a resolution was adopted, according to which the whole country began to celebrate a new holiday - May 24, the Day of Slavic Writing and Culture. It is interesting that every year its capital is chosen by any next populated point.

It is symbolic that on the night preceding the Holy Christ's Resurrection this year, the Patriarch burned the candle of the Slavonic movement, aimed at popularizing and preserving the cultural values of the Slavic peoples. This good action is a kind of expedition along the main transport arteries, linking the most important historical centers of the country on its way.

Celebration in Moscow

Initially, it was decided not to link May 24 - the Day of Slavic writing and culture - within the framework of any particular scenario, but to provide in each specific case full freedom of creativity to its organizers.

This opened wide space for holding various conferences, folklore concerts, meetings with writers, festivals and other events aimed at further development of the national Slavic culture.

In Moscow, the holiday on May 24 (the Day of Slavonic Writing) began this year with a solemn address to all the Russians of the head of the church, followed by a concert in the open air, which, according to the scale of the event and the number of participants of the artists who participated in it, became an all-Russian event. This was covered by representatives of the leading media from around the world. Such events are an excellent way to strengthen mutual understanding between representatives of different nations.

Celebrations in the city on the Neva

Brightly and interestingly celebrated May 24, 2015 - the Day of Slavonic writing - and in St. Petersburg. Here on the steps of St. Isaac's Cathedral, which is one of the symbols of the city on the Neva, a choir of three thousand people appeared, which, along with professional musicians, included members of amateur groups. It is interesting that two years ago, at the same steps, St. Petersburg residents and guests heard the singing of a choir consisting of 4,335 people.

This year, a huge team performed seventeen famous and beloved songs. However, activities for the Day of Slavic Writing (May 24) this year were not limited to this. Were already held traditional meetings with writers whose works have caught on to the people of St. Petersburg, as well as folk groups performed in many parks of the city. This day will be remembered for a long time by everyone who took part in the celebrations.