Our Patron Saints

Saints Cyril and Methodius were brothers who are honored as missionaries to the Slavic peoples. Their work of teaching and laboring among them during the mid and late ninth centuries are still evident today. They left a heritage in language and liturgy especially. The strength of the Slavic faith goes back to the missionary efforts of these holy brothers. Cyril was a monk and probably a priest. Methodius was, for a time, governor of a Slav colony, and then became a monk, abbot and later bishop.

Their missionary efforts met with frustrations, difficulties and unjust accusations of heresy. This was due largely to their use of the vernacular language in the liturgy. Their efforts and courageous acts have enriched the spiritual and liturgical lives of the people of the vast area of Eastern Europe: Bulgaria, Bohemia, Southern Poland, and Yugoslavia. The cultures of these places are indebted to them as well. Saint Cyril died in Rome on February 14, 869, while Saint Methodius continued his work for another fourteen years. He died in Czechoslovakia on April 6, 885. Their feast day is observed on February 14.

Saints Cyril and Methodius were brothers who are honored as missionaries to the Slavic peoples. Their work of teaching and laboring among them during the mid and late ninth centuries are still evident today. They left a heritage in language and liturgy especially. The strength of the Slavic faith goes back to the missionary efforts of these holy brothers. Cyril was a monk and probably a priest. Methodius was, for a time, governor of a Slav colony, and then became a monk, abbot and later bishop.

Their missionary efforts met with frustrations, difficulties and unjust accusations of heresy. This was due largely to their use of the vernacular language in the liturgy. Their efforts and courageous acts have enriched the spiritual and liturgical lives of the people of the vast area of Eastern Europe: Bulgaria, Bohemia, Southern Poland, and Yugoslavia. The cultures of these places are indebted to them as well. Saint Cyril died in Rome on February 14, 869, while Saint Methodius continued his work for another fourteen years. He died in Czechoslovakia on April 6, 885. Their feast day is observed on February 14.