The Day of Slavonic Literature and Culture in 2024, like every year, will be celebrated on May 24 on Friday (the date according to the old style is May 11). This holiday has been around for more than two centuries. It was given official status in 1863 - a millennium ago the alphabet was created, which became the foundation for the modern alphabet - Cyrillic. On this day, they honored the founders of Russian culture, the brothers Cyril and Methodius, immigrants from Byzantium.
History of the holiday
The highest title of holiness is equal to the apostles, the Orthodox Church awarded it to two rulers of the upper class - Prince Igor and Princess Olga, and the brothers Cyril and Methodius, born Michael and Constantine.These scientists are considered one of the first enlighteners of the Slavic peoples, the creators of the alphabet and writing. Great ascetics.
The activities of the brothers were not limited to "office work" . In 857, scientists were engaged in the spread of the Christian religion among the infidels. It was they who were sent to the Khazar Khaganate as ambassadors, where they had to convince the Khazars to stop the raids that were depleting Rus'. The brothers not only brilliantly coped with the task, but also explained to the pagans the essence of Christianity, persuading the prince to be baptized. Together with scientists, 200 prisoners captured during the last raids returned home.
In the 1st century, the Slavic peoples spoke the same language, but each locality had its own dialects. But they did not have a written language, and they prayed according to Greek religious texts. Priests translated in different ways, because of which the interpretation was distorted. The use of Latin did not save the situation, which created ground for the development of dissent.There was a need to create Slavic writing. Brother scientists were sent to Moravia to solve the problem. And already on May 11, 863, in the city of Pliska, they not only presented a new alphabet, but also translated the most important church books for Orthodoxy into Cyrillic. Cyril and Methodius gave the Russian people the opportunity to pray in their native language.
The activities of the brothers were appreciated only in the second half of the twentieth century. Together with the return to Orthodoxy, they began to celebrate the Day of Culture, created a foundation for them. Equal-to-the-Apostles Saints.
During the Soviet era, the holiday was forgotten. But in 1986, closely related peoples - Serbs, Macedonians, Bulgarians and Poles, celebrated 1100 years since the death of Archbishop Methodius. On this wave in Murmansk in 1986 they organized a holiday of writing. The initiative began to develop, and every year a cultural event began to be held in different cities of the country.
This continued until 1990. And in 1991, on January 30, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR gave the holiday the status of an official state holiday.Since that time, they began to celebrate the Day of Writing and Culture. In 2004, a presidential decree confirmed that this celebration is of great importance for the country.
Holiday Events
The traditions of the church-state holiday originated two centuries ago. In all the churches of the country, religious processions are held, special liturgies are read, and a program of the church choir is specially prepared. Pilgrimage missions to monasteries are organized. Most of the guests at this time receive the Kremlin Assumption Cathedral.
Many social events are being prepared for this day - on the Day of Slavonic Literature and Culture in 2024 there will surely be:
- spend cool hours;
- organize thematic lectures and conferences;
- organize exhibitions with books about the life and exploits of Saints Cyril and Methodius;
- invite to themed concerts;
- hold charity fairs;
- show themed films;
- make games for the little ones.
The largest event, which is annually timed to coincide with a significant day, emphasizes the importance of the church and state holiday - the presentation of the Patriarchal Prize to them. Cyril and Methodius. The award is presented to secular authors who have made a significant contribution to the culture of the country. Every year the award becomes more significant.
The award was established by the synod of the Orthodox Church.
Events that explain how high the brothers' contribution to Slavic culture is, how important it is to unite peoples to pray in their own language, is held in cinemas, libraries, palaces of culture and educational institutions. Thematic programs are introduced into the television network, during which scientists tell what date the celebration was first held in the USSR, and how it affected the development of the country.
Recently, new versions have appeared. According to the latest research, Byzantine scholars translated church books into Glagolitic, and Cyrillic was developed by their students. But since it has not been proven, on the Day of Slavic Writing in 2024, Byzantine scientists will still be remembered, who received the highest title of holiness from the church and national recognition.
