One of the oldest cultural holidays in Europe
The “Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius” is celebrated as an ecclesiastic observance since the 11th century A.D., accordingly to old church chronicles. This holiday commemorates the work of the brothers who created a writing system for the Slavonic languages, known now as Cyrillic alphabet. For many of the people living in Western countries, including the USA, this alphabet is known as “Russian” writing. In actuality, there is nothing Russian in its history, except that from the 11th century (2 centuries after its creation), the Cyrillic alphabet was adopted as the official ecclesiastic writing system in Kiev Russia. (See my article on the Cyrillic alphabet history and its importance now by clicking here).
To my knowledge, there is not a culture related Saint in any other Christian to be celebrated by both Eastern Orthodox believers, Catholic devotees, and atheists alike for more than 10 centuries and across so many countries. Literacy and culture were so important in Eastern Europe during all these years, that portraits of Saints Cyril and Methodius, who created the Cyrillic alphabet were painted over and over again in churches and cathedrals. Their icons received the same devotion as the ones of St. Mary and St. George, and their life stories were told and retold in numerous books.
Even before Bulgaria was free from Turkish domination, Saints Cyril and Methodius celebrations were the major cultural event of the year. In 1851, on May 11, a Bulgarian teacher and revolutionary fighter against the Turkish domination of the Balkans, organized the first secular celebration of these Saints. Since then, all people in Russia, Slovakia, Macedonia, Serbia, Czech Republic, etc. venerate Saints Cyril and Methodius who gave them access to written culture, vast sources of knowledge and cultural independence from Muslim and other religious or social invasions.
Now, because of changes in the ecclesiastic calendar, the “Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius” is marked on May 11 by Christian devotees, and on May 24, secularly.
In many countries May 24 is also an official national holiday. Festivities are accompanied by parades, local and national cultural events, culture award ceremonies and many other expressions of respect to the achievements of society in the field of arts, education and enlightenment. In many countries this day is also celebrated as a day of education. That is why on May 24, teachers, students and alumnae gather together for all kind of events.
Why do I care about this? First, because I come from a country where, even in communist times, these were the only Saints to be celebrated officially, publicly and nationally. Second, because, as an expat, I miss celebrating a day of culture or education. A day on which the entire nation gathers together, not in stadiums or around barbecues, but in theaters, operas, libraries and schools to celebrate literacy, arts, and education. Not a day to sit collectively around a televised sporting event. Not a day jumping, screaming and mindlessly applauding a celebrity with dubious reputation, trying to overcome a deafening sound system in a 100,000-seats arena.
I dream of a day when everyone from every culture in the United States would show off their cultural achievements, their heritage and their modern glory in arts, architecture, education and culture. A day, which will be an official, publicly recognized, national holiday of culture. A day, when nobody works and everybody goes to the streets to display their love for all cultural accomplishments of this great country.
Until then, I will continue to celebrate May 24, the Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
Photography: first image: icon of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Pirin Mountain village church, Bulgaria. Photography: Rossitza Ohridska-Olson. Second image: Monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius, sponsored by Bulgarian millionaires, brother Bobokovi, prepared to be sent to Odessa as a present to the Ukrainian city to remember the creators of the alphabet used in that country. Photography by Nedko Ivanov.
