Cyril and Methodius 		February 14
Missionaries to the Slavs
Cyril and Methodius are honoured for their missionary work to the southern Slavs, and as pioneers of Slavic literature. They were brothers, born in Thessalonica, Methodius about 815, and Constantine (later known as Cyril) in 826. Both were very well educated, with some experience in diplomatic work. Both also had an interest in a monastic life-style and were familiar with Slavonic speech.
When, therefore, the patriarch of Constantinople in 862 received from the prince of Moravia a request for missionaries to help establish the church there, the patriarch sent Cyril and Methodius. They were responsible for inventing an alphabet for the Slavonic language (the predecessor of the Slavonic script of, e.g., modern Russia). They then produced biblical and liturgical material in Slavonic and did much to establish the church.
Unfortunately, Moravia was a part of Europe where it was not clear whether it came under the jurisdiction of Rome in the west or Constantinople in the east. Cyril and Methodius were much harassed by bishops of the Frankish Empire, who favoured “civilised” Latin for the church and regarded Slavonic as “barbaric”.
In an effort to get papal approval (and in this they were largely successful), the brothers went to Rome, where Cyril died in 869. Methodius was appointed archbishop of Sirmium and returned to Moravia, where he continued to build up the church. Even though he now had papal backing, the German bishops of the Frankish Empire continued to oppose him, and they eventually succeeded in having him imprisoned. He was released after papal intervention, and on condition that Slavonic was used only for preaching. Methodius completed the translation of the Bible into Slavonic while continuing his missionary work. When he died 885, his funeral was conducted in Greek, Latin and Slavonic, and he was honoured as one who was “all things to all people”.
For Liturgical Use
Cyril and Methodius were brothers from Thessalonica, who because of their ability with languages were sent in 862 to establish the church in Moravia, in answer to an appeal from the prince there. They did much to foster Slavonic literature and an indigenous church, but became involved in disputes with the church in the Frankish Empire in the west over “civilised” Latin versus “barbaric” Slavonic as an appropriate language for the church’s message. Cyril died in 869. Methodius became archbishop of Sirmium and died in 885.
Sentence
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation. 	Isaiah 52:7	
Collects
Everliving God,
by the power of your Spirit,
Cyril and his brother Methodius,
in the face of hostility,
brought the light of the gospel to the Slavic people;
give us courage when our way seems hard,
and strengthen us to proclaim your gospel in our day;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessed are you, Jesus,
in Cyril and Methodius,
who went in love to preach to the Slavs;
may we have a love like this
for those entrusted to our care.
Psalms	24	113
Readings
Isaiah 49:1-6		A light to the nations
Ephesians 3:1-7		The Gentiles included
Luke 9:1-6		Sent out to proclaim the good news
Post Communion Sentence
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.	Acts 4:31