Photo credit: mos.ru (CC BY 4.0)
The Day of Slavic Literature and Culture is celebrated on Wednesday, May 24, in Russia and in some other countries, RIA Novosti reports. It was timed to coincide with the Day of Remembrance of Saints Cyril and Methodius. They are the creators of the Russian alphabet and Slavic writing. The holiday symbolizes the national and spiritual unity of the Slavic peoples, who have common origins, traditions and customs.
In Russia, the holiday was included in the official calendar of memorable dates in 1991. According to scientists, Slavic writing was created in the 9th century, around 863. The Slavic alphabet developed by Cyril and Methodius became an additional incentive for the development of culture and the dissemination of knowledge among the Slavic peoples. In Russia, the emergence of writing served as an impetus for the development of book business and literature.
The brothers translated the Gospel, the Apostle and the Psalter into Slavic, creating a base of texts in the Slavic language, which gave an idea of the basic norms of the Christian world.
Almost immediately after their death, the brothers were canonized as saints. Their names are revered by the Orthodox in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, Serbia and other countries. The Cyrillic alphabet is the basis of writing for about 60 peoples.
Patriarch Kirill traditionally leads the festive service on his namesake day. It takes place in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
In Orthodox churches, festive services, religious processions, children's pilgrimage missions to monasteries, educational conferences, exhibitions and other events are held.
Russkiy Mir
