Cyril and Methodius - about the creators of Cyrillic. About Cyril and Methodius

Kirill (in the world Konstantin) (OK.827-869)

Methodius (815-885) slavic enlighteners

With the names of two educator brothers, the most important event in the history of Slavic culture is connected - the invention of alphabet, which gave the beginning of Slavic writing.

Both brothers came from the family of the Greek military commanders and were born in the city of Soluni (modern Thessaloniki in Greece). Elder brother, Methodius, in his youth entered military service. For ten years, he was the managers of one IA Slavic regions of Byzantium, and then left his post and retired to the monastery. In the late 860s, he became the Igumen of the Greek Monastery Polychron on Mount Olympus in Malaya Asia.

Unlike his brother, Cyril since childhood was distinguished by a burden for knowledge and was also sent to Constantinople to the court of the Vizantine Emperor Mikhail III. There he got an excellent education, studied not only Slavic, but also Greek, Latin, Jewish and even Arabic languages. Subsequently, he refused the civil service and was tonsured to the monks.

For several years, Kirill worked as a librarian of Patriarch Fothia, and then he was appointed a teacher to court school. Already at this time, the reputation of a talented writer was entrenched. On behalf of the Patriarch, he wrote a polemical speech and participated in religious disputes.

Having learned that his brother became igumen, Kirill left Constantinople and went to Polychron Monastery. There, Cyril and Methodius spent several years, after which they made the first journey to the Slavs, during which they realized that the Slavic alphabet was needed to spread Christianity. The brothers returned to the monastery, where they began this work. It is known that only preparation for the transfer of sacred books to the Slavic language has taken more than three years.

In 863, when the Byzantine Emperor at the request of the Moravian Prince Rostislav sent brothers to Moravia, they just started the translation of the main worship books. Naturally, such a grand work would stretched for many years if the circle of translators was not formed around Cyril and Methodius.

In the summer of 863, Cyril and Methodius arrived in Moravia, already having the first Slavic texts with him. However, their activities immediately caused dissatisfaction of the Bavarian Catholic clergy, which did not want to give up to anyone his influence on Moravia.

In addition, the emergence of Slavic translations of the Bible contradicted the establishments of the Catholic Church, according to which the church service had to take place in Latin, and the text of the Holy Scripture should not be translated into any languages, with the exception of Latin.

Therefore, in 866, Kirill and Methodius had to go to Rome on the call of Pope Nikolai I. To earn his blessing, the brothers were brought to Rome's relics of the Holy Clement found them during the first journey to the Slavs. However, while they traveled to Rome, Dad Nicholas I died, so the brothers adopted his successor, Adrian II. He appreciated the benefits of the enterprise conceived by them and not only allowed them worship, but also tried to achieve their dedication to church positions. Negotiations were dragged for for a long time. At this time, Kirill dies unexpectedly, and only Methodius as directed by Pope was dedicated to the San Archbishop of Moravia and Pannonia.

With the permission of Adriana II, he returned to Moravia, but he could not start his activity, because the Salzburg Archbishop Adalvin, taking advantage of the unexpected death of Pope Adrian, called Methodius to himself allegedly for the presentation, and then arrested him and imprisoned him. There Methodius spent three years and only at the insistence of a new Pope, John VIII, was released. True, he was again forbidden to lead worship in Slavic.

Returning to Pannonia, Methodius violated this establishment, settled in Moravia, where he was engaged in the translation of the Holy Books and continued to commit worship. For six years, the students created by him conducted a huge work: they not only completed the translation into the Slavic language of all the books of the Holy Scriptures, but also transferred the most important documents that made a collection of Nomocannon. It was a meeting of decisions, which determined the rules of the commission of worship and all church life.

The activity of Methodius was the cause of new denunciations, and he was again summoned to Rome. However, Pope John VIII realized that nothing could prevent the spread of Slavic alphabet, and again allowed Slavic worship. True, at the same time he excused Methodius from the Catholic Church.

Methodius returned back to Moravia, where he continued his activities. Only in 883, he went to Byzantium again, and on his return continued to work, but soon she died, leaving his successor to the student named Hazda.

The disputes of scientists do not subscribe to this day about what Cyril - Cyrillic or Glagillica created. The difference between them is that the verb is more archaic to draw the letters, and Cyrillic was more convenient for the transfer of sound features of the Slavic language. It is known that in the 9th century was in the go and that, and another alphabet, and only at the turn of the X-XI centuries. The verbs practically came out of use.

After the death of Kirill, the alphabet invented by him and received its current name. Over time, Cyrillic has become the basis of all Slavic alphabets, including Russian.

Name:Cyril and Methodius (Konstantin and Mikhail)

Activity: Creators of the Old Slavonic ABC and the Church-Slavic language, Christian preachers

Family status: were not married

Kirill and Methodius: biography

Cyril and Methodius became famous for the whole world as chambers of the Christian faith and the authors of Slavic ABC. The biography of a couple of extensive, Cyril is devoted to even a separate life-key, created immediately after the death of a man. However, today it is possible to get acquainted with the brief history of the fate of these preachers and the founders of the alphabet in various benefits for children. Brothers have their own icon, where they are depicted together. It is treated with prayers about good studies, luck for students, adding the mind.

Childhood and youth

Cyril and Methodius were born in the Greek city of Soluni (the current Thessaloniki) in the family of the commander named Lion, which the authors of the blessings of the pair of saints are characterized as "good kind and rich." Future monks grew in the company of five more brothers.

Before the male, Mikhail and Konstantin were wore, and the first was older - born in 815, and Konstantin in the 827th. Regarding the ethnic affiliation of the family in the circles of historians, the disputes still do not subscribe. Some belong to the Slavs, because these people are perfectly owned by Slavic. Others are attributed to Bulgarian and, of course, Greek roots.

The boys received a brilliant education, and when they indulgered, their paths were separated. Methodius summed up for military service for the protection of the faithful friend of the family and Doros even to the governor of the Byzantine province. At the "Slavic Prince" established himself as a wise and fair ruler.

Cyrill from early childhood was fond of reading books, hit the surroundings with excellent memory and abilities to the sciences, heard a polyglot - in the Language Arsenal, except Greek and Slavic, was listed Hebrew and Aramaic. In 20 years, a young man, a graduate of Magnavra University, has already taught the basics of philosophy in the court school in Tsargrad.

Christian ministry

Cyril flatly refused a secular career, although such an opportunity was provided. The marriage on the skeleton of the official of the Tsarist Office in Byzantium opened the dizzying prospects - leadership of the region in Macedonia, and then the position of commander-in-chief array. However, the young theologians (Konstantin turned only 15 years old) chose to step on the church path.

When he already taught at the university, a man managed to even win in theological disputes over the leader of the iconoborets, who was once a Patriarch John grammar, also known under the name Ammonium. However, this story is considered just a beautiful legend.

The main task for the Government of Byzantium at that time was the strengthening and propaganda of Orthodoxy. Together with diplomats, which were chased by cities and the villages, where negotiations with religious enemies were led, missionaries went. They became in 24, Konstantin, having settled with the first important task from the state - to instruct Muslims on the right path.

In the late 50s, the 9th century brothers, charter from the worldly fuss, retired to the monastery, where 37-year-old Methodius took a post. However, Kirill did not allow a long time to rest: already in 860, a man called for the Emperor's throne and instructed to join the ranks of the Khazar mission.

The fact is that Khazar Kagan announced an interreligious dispute, where Christians were proposed to prove the truth of faith to Judah and Muslims. Khazars were already ready to pass out on the side of Orthodoxy, but they set the condition - only in the case of the victory of the Byzantine profits in disputes.

Cyril took his brother and brilliantly fulfilled the task assigned to his shoulders, but still the mission completely failed. The Khazar State of Christian did not, although Kagan and allowed people to be baptized. This trip happened serious to believers a historical event. On the path, the Byzantines looked into the Crimea, where Kirill found the relics of the Clement, the Holy Pope, the fourth, which was then handed over to Rome in the vicinity of Chersonesos.

Brothers are involved in another important mission. Once a help from Constantinople asked the ruler of the Moravian lands (Slavic state) Rostislav - a teacher-theologian was required that those in the affordable language told the people about the true faith. Thus, the prince was going to escape from the influence of the Bishops-Germans. This trip has become a sign - a Slavic alphabet appeared.

In Moravia, the brothers worked not to twist the hands: translated Greek books, they taught the Slavs of Aza of reading, letters, and at the same time they learned to lead worship. "Travel" took three years. The results of the Labor played a big role in preparing for the baptism of Bulgaria.

In 867, the brothers had to go to Rome to keep the answer for "blasphemy." Kirill and Methodius Western Church called heretics, accusing that they read sermons including in Slavic, whereas the Most High it is possible to speak only in Greek, Latin and Jewish.

On the way to the Italian capital, they stopped in the Blatensky principal, where they trained the people of the book. For those who arrived in Rome with the relics of the Clement so we were happy that the new dad Adrian II allowed serving worship in Slavyansky and even allowed the translated books to decompose on churches. During this meeting, Methodius received the Episcopian San.

Unlike his brother, Cyril only on the verge of death, he was torn to the monks - it was necessary. After the death of the preacher, Methodius, which brought up students, returned to Moravia, where he had to fight with the German clergy. The deceased Rostislav changed the nephew of Svyatopolk, who supported the politics of the Germans, who did not quietly work to work by the Byzantine priest. Any attempts to disseminate the Slavic language as church were stopped.

Methodius even was sitting in conclusion during the monastery. The Roman Pope John VIII helped to be free, who imposed a ban on liturgy until Methodius in prison. However, in order not to pump the situation, John forbade the worship in Slavic. Only sermons did not punish the law.

But the leaving from Thessaloniki at his own fear and risk continued to secretly hold services in Slavic. At the same time, the Archbishop baptized the Czech Prince, for which a little later appeared at the court in Rome. However, luck wondered Methodius - he did not simply escaped punishment, and he also got a papal bull and the opportunity to lead worship in Slavic. Shortly before the death managed to translate the Old Testament.

Creating ABC

Brothers from thessalonikov entered the story as the creators of Slavic alphabet. Event time - 862 or 863 year. Kirill and Methodius's life argues that the idea was born back in 856, when the brothers together with the students angelairia, Naum and Clement settled on Mount Small Olympus in the Polychron Monastery. Here Methodius served as the abbot.

The authorship of the alphabet is attributed to Kirill, and what exactly, remains a mystery. Scientists are inclined to the verb, it is indicated by 38 characters that it contains. As for Cyrillic, it was embodied by the Clement Ohrid. However, even if this is the case, the student still used Kirill's operations - it hesitated the sounds of the tongue, which is the most important when creating writing.

The basis for the alphabet served as Greek Tyline, the letters are very similar, so the verb is confused with oriental alphabets. But for the designations of specific Slavic sounds, Jewish letters took, for example, "sh".

Death

Konstantin-Kirill on a trip to Rome struck severe illness, and on February 14, 869 he died - this day in Catholicism was recognized as the Day of Saints. The body betrayed the ground in the Roman church of the Holy Clement. Kirill did not want the brother to return to the monastery to Moravia, and before the death allegedly, it was necessary:

"Here, my brother, we were with you as two times in the harness, plowed one furrow, and I fall Ya Forest, finishing my day. A, though you love the mountain, but not the MOGS for the sake of the mountain to leave your school, for what else can you achieve salvation better? "

Methodius survived the wise relative for 16 years. Single death, ordered himself to read the church to read the sermon. The priest died on Palm Sunday April 4, 885. Methodius fled in three languages \u200b\u200b- Greek, Latin and, of course, Slavic.

At the post Methodius replaced the student Mountains, and then all the undertakings of the saints began to collapse. In Moravia, the liturgical translations were gradually banned again, the followers and students opened the hunt - they pursued, sold into slavery and even killed. Part of the adherents ran into countries next door. And yet the Slavic culture has surrendered, the center of the book movement moved to Bulgaria, and from there to Russia.

Saints Propoolete teachers are worshiped in the West and East. In Russia, a holiday was established in memory of the feat of the brothers - on May 24, the day of Slavic writing and culture is celebrated.

Memory

Settlements

• 1869 - The founding of the village of Methodiyivka near Novorossiysk

Monuments

• Monument to Cyril and Methodius at the Stone Bridge in Skopje, Macedonia.
• Monument to Kirill and Methodius in Belgrade, Serbia.
• Monument to Cyril and Methodius in Khanty-Mansiysk.
• Monument in honor of Kirill and Methodius in Thessaloniki, Greece. Stamp in the form of a gift was transferred to Greece by the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
• Statue in honor of Kirill and Methodius before the building of the National Library of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Basilica ascension of the Virgin Mary and Saints Cyril and Methodius in Tellegrada, Czech Republic.
• Monument in honor of Kirill and Methodius, established before the building of the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, Bulgaria.
• Monument to Cyril and Methodius in Prague, Czech Republic.
• Monument to Cyril and Methodius in Ohrid, Macedonia.
• Cyril and Methodius are depicted on the 1000th anniversary of Russia monument in Veliky Novgorod.

Books

• 1835 - Poem "Kirillo-Metodiada", Jan Halle
• 1865 - "Cyril-Mefodievsky Collection" (edited by Mikhail Pogodin)
• 1984 - "Khazar Dictionary", Milorad Pavice
• 1979 - "Solong Brothers", Slav Karashlavov

Films

• 1983 - "Konstantin Philosopher"
• 1989 - "Solong Brothers"
• 2013 - "Cyril and Methodius - Apostles Slavs"

Brothers Kirill and Methodius, whose biography at least briefly known to everyone who owns the Russian language was great enlighteners. They developed an alphabet for a plurality of Slavic peoples than indifferent to their name.

Greek origin

Two brothers were from the city of Thessaloniki. In Slavic sources, the old traditional name Solun has been preserved. They were born in the family of a successful officer, which served at the governor of the province. Cyril was born in 827, and Methodius - in the 815th.

Due to the fact that these Greeks knew perfectly well some researchers tried to confirm their guess about their Slavic origin. However, it was not possible to do it so much. At the same time, for example, in Bulgaria, the enlighteners are considered to be in Bulgarians (they also use Cyrillic).

Experts of the Slavic language

Linguistic knowledge of noble Greeks can be explained by Sununi history. In their era, this city was bilingual. There was a local dialect of the Slavic language. The migration of this tribe reached its southern border, bolding in the Aegean Sea.

At first, the Slavs were pagans and lived with a tribal strict, as well as their neighbors-Germans. However, those strangers who settled at the borders of the Byzantine Empire, fell into the orbit of its cultural influence. Many of them have formed a colony in the Balkans, becoming mercenaries of the Constantinople ruler. There was a lot of their presence in Soluni, from where were Cyril and Methodius. The biography of the brothers at first went in different ways.

Brothers world career

Methodius (in the world called Mikhail) became a military and reached the title of strategist of one of the provinces in Macedonia. It succeeded in him due to its talents and abilities, as well as the patronage of the influential slander of Foktist. Cyrill from an early age engaged in science, and also studied the culture of neighboring peoples. Even before he went to Moravia, thanks to which he became world famous, Konstantin (name before the tons of the monks) began to translate the head of the Gospel on

In addition to Linguistics, Kirill studied geometry, dialectics, arithmetic, astronomy, rhetoric and philosophy from the best specialists in Constantinople. Due to its noble origin, he could count on an aristocratic marriage and civil service in the highest echelons of power. However, the young man did not wish such fate and became the keeper of the library in the main church of the country - the Cathedral of St. Sophia. But there he had not long done for a long time, but soon began to teach at the metropolitan university. Thanks to brilliant victories in philosophical disputes, he received a nickname philosopher, which is sometimes found in historiographic sources.

Kirill was familiar with the emperor and even went to his assignment to the Muslim Califa. In 856, he with a group of students arrived at the monastery on Malaya Olympus, where his brother was the abbot. It was there that Kirill and Methodius, whose biography was now connected with the Church, decided to create an alphabet for Slavs.

Translation of Christian Books in Slavic

In 862, ambassadors from the Moravian Prince Rostislav arrived in Constantinople. They handed the emperor a message from their ruler. Rostislav asked the Greeks to give him scientists who could teach the Slavs of the Christian faith in their own language. The baptism of this tribe happened before that, but every worship was held on a foreign adverb, which was extremely uncomfortable. The patriarch and the emperor discussed this request among themselves and decided to ask the Solun brothers to go to Moravia.

Cyril, Methodius and their disciples began for a great job. The first language on which major Christian books were translated, Bulgarian became. Biography of Kirill and Methodius, a brief content of which is in every Slavic history textbook, is known for the colossal labor of brothers over the psallet, apostle and the gospel.

Travel to Moravia

Preachers went to Moravia, where they spent the service for three years and taught people by literacy. Their efforts also helped the baptism of Bulgarians, which occurred in 864. They also visited Transcarpathian Russia and Panons, where the Christian faith was also given to Slavic languages. Brothers Kirill and Methodius, a brief biography of which includes many travels, everywhere found carefully listening to the audience.

Even in Moravia, they had a conflict with German priests, which were there with a similar missionary mission. The key difference between them was the unwillingness of Catholics to lead worship in Slavic. This position was supported by the Roman Church. This organization believed that it was possible to praise God only in three languages: Latin, Greek and Hebrew. This tradition existed many centuries.

The great split between the Catholics and Orthodox has not yet happened, so the Pope still had an impact on Greek priests. He called the brothers in Italy. They also wanted to come to Rome to protect their position and enjoy the Germans in Moravia.

Brothers in Rome

Brothers Kirill and Methodius, whose biography is revered by Catholics, arrived at Adrian II in 868. He came to a compromise with the Greeks and gave his consent to the fact that the Slavs could lead worship in their native languages. Moravia (Czech ancestors) were baptized by bishops from Rome, so formally were under the jurisdiction of the Pope.

While in Italy, Konstantin was very sick. When he realized that he would soon die, Greek adopted Schima and received the monastic name Kirill, with whom he became known in historiography and popular memory. Being on her deathbed, he asked his brother not to give up the overall enlightenment case, but to continue his service among Slavs.

Continuation of the preaching activities of Methodius

Kirill and Methodius, the brief biography of which inseparable, became revered in Moravia in life. When the younger brother came back there, it became much easier for him to continue to fulfill his debt than 8 years ago. However, soon the situation in the country has changed. Former Prince Rostislav failed to defeat from Scholopolka. The new ruler focused on German patrons. This led to a change in the priests. The Germans began to lobby the idea of \u200b\u200ba sermon on Latin again. They even concluded Methodius to the monastery. When Dad John VIII learned about this, he forbade the Germans to lead the liturgy until they exege the preacher.

With such resistance, Kirill and Methodius have not yet come across. Biography, creation and everything related to their life, full of dramatic events. In 874, Methodius finally was released and again became Archbishop. However, Rome had already withdrawn their permission to worship at Moravia. Nevertheless, the preacher refused to obey the volatile course of the Catholic Church. He began to carry out secret sermons and rites in Slavic.

Last troubles Methodius

His perseverance was not in vain. When the Germans tried again to blame him in the eyes of the Church, Methodius went to Rome and thanks to his abilities of the speaker was able to protect his point of view before dad. He was given a special Bulla, who again resolved worship in national languages.

Slavs appreciated the uncompromising struggle, which Kirill and Methodius led, a brief biography of which was reflected even in the ancient folklore. Shortly before his death, the younger brother returned to Byzantium and spent several years in Constantinople. The last lack of work was the translation to the Slavic language "Old Testament", with whom the right disciples helped him. He died in 885 in Moravia.

Value of activity of brothers

The alphabet, created by the brothers, has spread over time in Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria and in Russia. Today, Cyrillic is used by all Eastern Slavs. These are Russian, Ukrainians and Belarusians. Kirill and Methodius Biography for children are taught within the framework of the school program of these countries.

Interestingly, the initial alphabet, created by the brothers, eventually became a verbian in historiography. Another option, known as Cyrillic, appeared a little later thanks to the works of students of these enlighteners. This scientific dispute remains relevant. The problem is that it did not reach the ancient sources that could surely confirm some particular point of view. Theories are built only in secondary documents that appeared later.

Nevertheless, the contribution of the brothers is difficult to overestimate. Kirill and Methodius, a brief biography of which should be known to each Slavist, helped not only distribute Christianity, but also to strengthen among these peoples. In addition, even if we assume that Cyrillic was created by pupils of the brothers, then they still relied on their work. This is especially obvious in the case of phonetics. Modern Cyrillic alphabets adopted the sound component in those written characters that were proposed by preachers.

And Western, and the Eastern Church recognize the importance of the activities that Kirill and Methodius led. A brief biography for children of enlighteners is in many general educational textbooks history and Russian.

Since 1991, the annual public holiday dedicated to brothers from Soluni has been celebrated in our country. It is called the day of Slavic culture and writing and also in Belarus. In Bulgaria, the Order of their name is established. Cyril and Methodius, interesting facts from whose biography are published in various monographs, the attention of new languages \u200b\u200band history researchers still attract.

Slovenian holy teachers sought to solitude and prayer, but in life they were constantly in advanced positions - and when the Christian truths defended the Muslims, and when the great educational work took themselves. Their success sometimes looked like a defeat, but as a result it was them we owe the acquisition of the "gift of the most valuable and more silver, and the zlata, and precious stones, and the entire transient wealth." This gift is.

Brothers from Fesalonik

Russian was baptized in those times when our ancestors did not consider themselves Christians in the ninth century. In the West of Europe, Chairs Charle Great shared the Frankish Empire, Muslim states were strengthened in the east, and equivalent Cyril and Methodius were preached in the young Slavic principles - the genuine founders of our culture.

The history of the activities of the holy brothers has been studied with all sorts of care: the preserved written sources are repeatedly commented, and scientists are arguing about the details of biographies and permissible interpretations of rendered information. And how can it be otherwise when it comes to the creators of the Slavic alphabet? And however, still images of Kirill and Methodius are lost behind the abundance of ideological constructions and just fiction. Khazar dictionary of Milorad Pavic, in which the enlighteners of Slavs are embedded in a multifaceted theosophical hoax, not the worst option.

Cyril is younger and in age, and in the hierarchical titles - until the end of the life was just a layman and monastic stop with the name Kirill accepted only on her deathbed. While Methodius, the elder brother, held great positions, was the ruler of a separate area of \u200b\u200bthe Byzantine Empire, the abbot of the monastery and finished the life of the archbishop. And yet traditionally, Kirill occupies an honorable first place, and his name is the alphabet - Cyrillic. All his life, he wore another name - Konstantin, and a competitive nickname - a philosopher.

Konstantin was an extremely gifted person. "The speed of his abilities did not give up adjacent," the life, compiled shortly after his death, repeatedly emphasizes the depth and the vastness of his knowledge. Translated into the language of modern realities, Konstantin Philosopher was a professor at the Moscow Constantinople, very young and promising. In 24 years (!) He received the first important state task - to defend the truth of Christianity in the face of the Ioverians-Muslims.

Missionary politician

It is bizarre today in our days this medieval non-importance of spiritual, religious tasks and state cases. But for her, you can find some analogy in modern world order. And today the superpowers, the newest empires, are based on their influence not only on military and economic strength. There is always an ideological component, ideology, "exported" to other countries. For the Soviet Union, it was communism. For the United States - liberal democracy. Someone takes exported ideas peacefully, somewhere has to resort to bombardments.

For Byzantium, the doctrine was Christianity. The strengthening and spread of Orthodoxy was perceived by the imperial authority as a paramount state problem. Therefore, as a modern researcher of Kirillo-Mefodievsky heritage A.-E. Tahiaos, "a diplomat who joined negotiations with enemies or" barbarians "was always accompanied by a missionary." Such a missionary was Konstantin. Therefore, it is so difficult to separate its enlightenment activities from political. Only before the death itself, he symbolically folded off the public service, adopting a monasticism.

"I no longer servant neither king, nor anyone else on earth; Only God was and I will be forever, "now I will write Cyril.

About his Arab and Khazar mission, about the tricks and ingenious and deep answers tells life. Muslims asked him about the Trinity, as Christians can worship "many of the gods" and why instead of the failure of evil they strengthen the army. Khazar Jews challenged the awareness and put in the guilt of Christians non-compliance with the Old Testament regulations. Constantine's answers - bright, shaped and brief - if they did not convince all opponents, then, in any case, delivered a polemical victory, leading to the admiration.

"Nobody else"

The Khazar mission was preceded by events that have strongly changed the inner arrangement of the Solun brothers. At the end of the 50s of the 9th century and Konstantin - a successful scientist and the controversy - and Methodius - shortly before that appointed by Archon (chapter) of the province, removed from the world and lead a secluded mobile lifestyle for several years. Methodius even takes monastic stop. The brothers from an early age differed piety, and the thought of monastic was not alien to them; However, there were probably the external causes for such a sharp change: the change of political situation or personal sympathy of the power of the property. However, life is silent.

But the worldly bustle retreated for a short time. Already in 860, Khazar Kagan decided to arrange a "interreligious" dispute in which Christians were to defend the truth of their faith in front of Jews and Muslims. According to the expression of life, the Khazars were ready to adopt Christianity if the Byzantine sulfurists will "observe in disputes with Jews and Sarcins." Constantine was again found, and the emperor personally informed him with his words: "Go, philosopher, to these people and talk about the Holy Trinity with a help. No one else can adopt it to adequately. " On the journey Konstantin took himself an assistant to her older brother.

Negotiations ended in general successfully, although the Khazar state and did not become Christian, Kagan allowed Wishing to be baptized. There were political successes. We should pay attention to an important associated event. On the way, the Byzantine delegation drove into the Crimea, where Konstantin found the relics of the ancient Holy Pope of the Roman Clement, near the modern Sevastopol (Ancient Chersonese). Subsequently, the relics of the saint of the Clement brothers will be transferred to Rome than will additionally go to the Pope Adriana. It was from Kirill and Methodius that the Slavic Holy Clement begins with the Slavyan, remember the majestic church in his honor in Moscow not far from the Tretyakov Gallery.

Sculpture of the Holy Apostles Kirill and Methodius in the Czech Republic. Photo: Pragagid.ru.

Birth of writing

862 year. We reached the historic line. This year, Moravian Prince Rostislav sends a letter to the Byzantine Emperor with a request to send preachers capable of writing his subjects in Christianity in the Slavic. Great Moravia, which included individuals of the modern Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Poland, was already a Christian. But her German clergy enlightened, and all worship, the sacred books and theology were Latin, for the Slavs are incomprehensible.

And again, at the courtyard they remember about Constantine philosopher. If not he, then who else will be able to fulfill the task, in the difficulty of which they gave themselves the report and the emperor, and the Patriarch - Saint Fothy?

The Slavs had no writing. But not even the fact of the absence of letters represented the main problem. They did not have abstract concepts and wealth of terminology, which usually consists in "book culture".

High Christian theology, Scriptures and liturgical texts had to shift into a language that did not have any means.

And the philosopher coped with the task. Of course, it should not be that he worked alone. Konstantin again called for his brother's help, other employees were attracted. It was a kind of scientific institute. The first alphabet - the verbs - amounted to Greek Tyneopisi. Letters correspond to the letters of the Greek alphabet, but they look different - so much that the verb is often confused with the eastern languages. In addition, Jewish letters (for example, "sh") were taken for sounds specific to Slavic adverb.

Then translated the gospel, expressed expressions and terms, translated the liturgical books. The volume of transfers made by the Holy Brothers and their direct students was very significant - by the time of the Baptism of Russia, there was already a whole library of Slavic books.

Price of success

However, the activities of the enlighteners could not limit themselves only by scientific and translation surveys. It was necessary to teach the Slavs with new letters, a new book language, new divine service. Especially painful was the transition to a new liturgical language. It is not surprising that the clergy of Moravia, who followed the German practice, took new trends in the bayonets. Even dogmatic arguments against the Slavic Arrangements of Services, the so-called tearsal heresy, as if you could talk to God only on the "sacred" languages: Greek, Jewish and Latin.

Dogmatika was intertwined with politics, canonical right with diplomacy and power ambitions - and in the center of this club were Cyril and Methodius. The territory of Moravia was under the jurisdiction of the Pope, and although the Western Church was not yet separated from the Eastern, on the initiative of the Byzantine emperor and Constantinople Patriarch (namely, such a status had a mission) still looked with suspicion. The German clergy, closely associated with the secular power of Bavaria, saw in the initiative of the brothers Implementation of Slavic separatism. Indeed, the Slavic princes besides spiritual interests pursued and state-worn - their liturgical language and church independence would significantly strengthen their position. Finally, dad was in tense relations with Bavaria, and supporting the revival of church life in Moravia against the "Tematenikov" was fully stacked in the general direction of his policies.

Political contradictions were expensive to missionaries. Due to the permanent intrigues of the German clergy, Konstantin and Methodius had to be justified before the Roman high priest. In 869, without rendering overvoltage, St. Kirill died (he was only 42 years old), and his business continued Methodius, soon after this ordained in Rome in the Episcopal San. Methodius died in 885, having survived the expulsion, insults and imprisonment lasting for several years.

The gift is valuable

The successor of Methodius was many, and with him the case of saints in Moravia practically stalled: the liturgical translations were forbidden, followers were killed or sold into slavery; Many themselves fled to neighboring countries. But it was not the end. It was only the beginning of Slavic culture, which means and Russian culture too. The center of Slavic Book moved to Bulgaria, then to Russia. The books began to use Cyrillic, called so in honor of the creator of the first alphabet. Writing has grown and strengthened. And today the sentences to abolish the Slavic letters and go to Latin, who in the 1920s actively promoted the People's Commissar of Lunacharsky, they sound, thank God, unreal.

So the next time, setting the points over "ё" or tormented over the Russification of the new version of Photoshop, think about what wealth we possess.

Artist Jan Mateyko

Among the few nations were honored to have their own alphabet. It was already understood in the distant ninth century.

"God created and now in our years - announcing the letters for your language - what was not given to anyone after the first time, so that you were ranked in the great peoples who are famous for God in their own language ... Acceptance of the gift, the most valuable and more Silver, and Zlata, and precious stones, and the whole transient wealth, "the emperor wrote Mikhail Prince Rostislav.

And after that, are we trying to separate Russian culture from the culture of Orthodox? Russian letters came up with Orthodox monks for church books, at the very basis of Slavic books lies not just influence and borrowing, and "Transplant", "transplantation" of the Byzantine Church Book. Book Tongue, Cultural Context, High Thought Terminology Created directly together with the library of books of the Apostles of Slavs Saints Cyril and Methodius.

Is it possible to imagine life without electricity? Of course, difficult! But it is known that before people read and wrote with candles and mud. And imagine life without writing. Some of you will now think about yourself, well, and what, it would be great: no need to write dictations and essays. But then there will be no libraries, books, posters, letters and even email and ESEMES. In the language, as in the mirror, the whole world is reflected, our whole life. And reading written or printed texts, we, as it were, sit down in the time car and can be transferred and in recent times, and in the distant past.

But the art of letters people do not always have. This art has developed for a long time for many millennia. Do you know who we should be grateful for our written word on which our favorite books are written? For our diploma, which we learn at school? For our great Russian literature with which you get acquainted and will still be studied in high school.

Lived in the light of Kirill and Methodius,

Two Byzantine monks and suddenly

(No, not a legend, not myth, not a parody),

Some of them thought: "Friend!

How many Slavs without Christ are unfastenless!

We must create for the Slavs alphabet ...

It is thanks to the works of the Saints Equal-Apostles Brothers Kirill and Methodius a Slavic ABC was created.

The brothers were born in the Byzantine city of Soluni in the commander's family. Methodius was the eldest son, and by choosing the route of the military, went to serve in one of the Slavic regions. His brother - Kirill, was born for 7-10 years later, Methodius, and as a child, having fallen in love with science, hit teachers with brilliant abilities. At the age of 14, the parents sent him to Constantinople, where he studied grammar and geometry, arithmetic, astronomy and medicine, antique art, well mashed Slavic, Greek, Jewish, Latin and Arabic languages. Refusing a high administrative position proposed by him, Kirill took a modest place of the librarian in the Patriarchal Library and at the same time he taught philosophy at the university, for which he received a nickname "philosopher". His elder brother Methodius went on military service. 10 years was the ruler of one of the areas inhabited by the Slavs. Being an honest and straightforward person, intolerable to injustice, he left the military service and retired to the monastery.

In 863, ambassadors from Moravia arrived in Constantinople to ask to send preachers to their country and tell the population about Christianity. The emperor decided to send Kirill and Methodius to Moravia. Kirill, before you go to the road asked if the ABC was Morava for their own language - "For the enlightement of the people without writing his language, like attempts to write on the water," explained Cyril. What got a negative answer. Alphabets at Morav did not turn out, then the brothers began work. At their disposal were no years, and months. They worked from early morning, barely seeded, and until late evening, when there were already ripples in the eyes of fatigue. In a short time, the alphabet for Moravians was created. She was named after one of her creators - Cyril - Cyrillic.

With the help of Slavic Azbuchi Cyril and Methodius, very quickly translated the basic services with Greek to Slavic. The first book written in Cyrillic became "Ostromiro Gospel", the first words written with the help of Slavic Azbuchi was the phrase - "In the beginning there was a word and the Word was God, and the word was God." And now, for more than a thousand years, Church Slavonic language is used in the Russian Orthodox Church during worship.

The Slavic alphabet existed in Russia consistently more than seven centuries. His creators tried to have every letter of the first Russian alphabet to be simple and a clear, easy for writing. They remembered that the letters should be beautiful so that a person, barely saw them, immediately wanted to master the letter.

Each letter had its name - "Az" - A; "Buki" - b; "Ardients" - in; "Verb" - r; "Good" -d.

That's from here and the winged phrases "Az Yes Buki - that's all sciences", "" Who knows "Az" yes "Buki" of that books in the hands. " In addition, the letters could be denoted and numbers. There were 43 letters in Cyrillic.

Cyrillic existed in Russian unchanged to Peter I, who removed obsolete letters without which it was quite possible to do - "Yus Big", "YUS Small", "Omega", "UK". In 1918, more than 5 letters were gone from the Russian alphabet - "Yat", "Fita", "Izhitsa", "EP", "Yer". For a thousand years, many letters disappeared from our alphabet, and only two - "y" and "ё" appeared. They came up with Russian writer and historian Karamzin in the XVII century. And now, 33 letters left in modern alphabet.

And what do you think from where the word "alphabet" came from - by the name of the first letters of the alphabet, "Az" and "Buki"; There was a few more alphabet names in Russia - ABEVEGA and "Letup".

And why is the alphabet called the alphabet? Interesting the history of this word. Alphabet. It was born in ancient Greece and consists of the names of the two first letters of the Greek alphabet: "Alpha" and "Beta". The carriers of Western languages \u200b\u200bare called: "Alphabet". And we pronounce as an "alphabet".

Slavs were very happy: other nations of Europe (Germans, francs, britt) did not have their own writing. The Slavs now had his own alphabet, and everyone could learn to read the book! "It was a wonderful moment! .. Deaf began to hear, and the silence began to say, because until that time the Slavs were as deaf and dumb" - recorded in the chronicles of those times.

Not only children, but also adults became learning. They wrote with sharp chopsticks on wooden planks covered with wax. Children loved their teachers Kirill and Methodius. Little Slavs gladly went to classes, because it was such an interesting journey on the roads of truth!

With the advent of Slavic alphabet, writing culture began to develop quickly. In Bulgaria, Serbia, books appeared in Russia. And how they were issued! The first letter - the letter - started every new chapter. The letter is unusually beautiful: in the form of a beautiful bird or a flower, it painted bright, more often with red flowers. Therefore, there is today the term "red string". Slavic handwritten book could be created for six to seven years and was very expensive. In the precious salary, with illustrations, it is a real monument of art today.

Long ago, when the story of the Great Russian Power was just beginning, "she" cost expensive. Her one could exchange horses or a herd of cows on herd, on sable fur coats. And the point here is not in the decorations, in which the beauty and the clever dressed up. And she only went in expensive embossed leather, in pearls and precious stones! Golden and silver fasteners decorated her outfit! Admiring her, people said: "Light, you are ours!" We worked on its creation for a long time, but her fate could have to work very sad. During the invasion of enemies, she was captured along with people. She could perish in a fire or when flooding. She really treated: she inspired hope, he returned the strength of the Spirit. What kind of queen is this. Yes, guys, it is Her Majesty - a book. She retained the Word of God and legends of distant years before us. The first books were handwritten. For the rewriting of one book, months left, and sometimes years. Book centers in Russia have always been monasteries. There, in the post and prayer, hardworking monks rewrite and decorated books. A collection of books in 500-1000 manuscripts was considered to be greater.

Life goes, and in the middle of the XVI century, a typography appeared in Russia. The printed yard in Moscow appeared under Ivan Grozny. Leaded by Ivan Fedorov, whom they call the first bookprint. Being a deacon and serving in the temple, he tried to embody his dream - the sacred books without scribe to rewrite. And in 1563, he began a set of first page of the first printed book - "Apostle". In total, he published 12 books for his life, among them was the full Slavic Bible.

Slavic alphabet is amazing and still considered one of the most convenient letters. And the names of Kirill and Methodius, "Slovenian primordants", became a symbol of a spiritual feat. And every person who studies Russian should know and keep in his memory the holy names of the first Slavic enlighteners - Brothers Kirill and Methodius.

On the broad Russia - our Mother

The bell ringing is bottled.

Now the brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius

For the works are glorified.

"Hours is light, and unacceptable - darkness," says in the Russian proverb. Cyril and Methodius, brothers from Soluni, - Slovenian enlighteners, creators of Slavic ABC, preachers of Christianity. They are called holy teachers. Enlighteners - those who bearing light and highlight them all. Without an alphabet, there is no writing, but without it there is no book that enlightens people, and therefore drives life forward. Monuments of great enlighteners around the world remind us of the spiritual feat of Cyril and Methodius, who gave the world to the Slavic alphabet.

In memory of the great feat of Cyril and Methodius on May 24, the day of Slavic writing is celebrated around the world. In the year of the Millennium, from the date of the creation of Slavic letters in Russia, the Holy Synod adopted a resolution in which the "year old, starting from this 1863, in 11 (24) Day of May church celebration of Rev. Kirill and Methodius". Until 1917 in Russia celebrated the church holiday the day of the Saints Equal-Apostles Brothers Kirill and Methodius. With the arrival of Soviet power, this great holiday was forgotten. In 1986, he was revived. This holiday began to call the day of Slavic writing and culture.

Quiz

1. Who created the Slavic alphabet? (Cyril and Methodius)

2. What year is considered the year of the emergence of Slavic letters and books? (863)

3. Why is Cyril and Methodius call "Solong Brothers"? (Place of birth of enlightener brothers city Solun in Macedonia)

4.Who was the elder brother: Cyril or Methodius? (Methodius)

5. What was the name of the first book written by Cyrillic? (Ostromirovo Gospel ")

6.Who from the brothers was a librarian, and who is warrior? (Kirill - Librarian, Methodius - military leader,)

7. How did you call Kirill for mind and adjacent? (Philosopher)

8. In whose reign Slavic ABC was changed - simplified. (Peter 1)

9. How many letters in Cyrillic were to Peter the first? (43 letters)

10. How many letters have become in a modern alphabet? (33 letters)

11.Who was the first product in Russia? (Ivan Fedorov)

12. How was the first printed book called? ("Apostle")

13. What words were the first to be written in Slavic? (Initially, there was a word, and the word had God and the word was God)