Saints Cyril (born Constantine, c. 827–869) and Methodius (c. 815–885) were brothers born in Thessaloniki (modern-day Salonica, Greece) to the family of a military officer. The region was home to Slavic tribes such as the Draguvites, Sagudites, and Smolyans, which contributed to the development of the so-called “Thessalonian dialect.” Scholars suggest that this dialect formed the basis of Church Slavonic.

Constantine received his education at the Byzantine imperial court under Emperor Michael III, becoming a patriarchal librarian and mastering several languages. During a diplomatic mission to the Khazars around 860, he discovered the relics of Saint Pope Clement. Methodius initially pursued a military career, managing Slavic settlements in Macedonia, but later embraced monastic life.

In 863, the brothers traveled to Moravia at the invitation of Prince Rastislav to spread Christianity among the local Slavic population. Before the journey, Constantine created the first Slavic alphabet, the Glagolitic script, which the brothers used to translate the Gospels, Psalms, and Apostolic writings. However, their use of Church Slavonic in liturgy led to accusations of heresy, as a faction of Roman theologians argued that worship was permissible only in the three languages inscribed on the Cross (Hebrew, Greek, and Latin).

In 866, Pope Adrian II summoned the brothers to Rome, where he approved their mission. During their stay, Constantine took monastic vows under the name Cyril but fell ill and passed away shortly after. Methodius was consecrated as the Archbishop of Pannonia and Moravia, where he continued translating the Bible into Church Slavonic with his disciples.

After Methodius’ death, Slavic literacy in Moravia was suppressed, and some of his disciples faced persecution. Many fled to Croatia and Bulgaria, where they continued to promote the written tradition. In Croatia, Catholic liturgy in the Slavic language persisted in some areas until the 20th century. Popes Adrian II and later John VIII supported the Slavic translations, emphasizing their significance for the Church.

Iconography

Saints Cyril and Methodius are depicted according to their respective ecclesiastical ranks. Cyril, a member of the highest monastic order—the Great Schema—is dressed in an analab (a cloth bearing images of the instruments of Christ’s Passion and Adam’s skull) and a koukoulion (a pointed hood). As the creator of the Slavic script, he often holds a scroll featuring the alphabet. Methodius, portrayed in episcopal vestments, carries a cross (a symbol of his missionary work) and either the Gospel or a Eucharistic chalice, symbolizing his translations of sacred texts.

Until the 18th century, depictions of Cyril and Methodius were rare in Ukrainian iconography. Their popularity grew due to political factors, as the saints came to symbolize enlightenment and Slavic unity, often contrasted with Latin influences. The largest number of icons featuring Cyril and Methodius appeared in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reflecting the widespread appeal of Pan-Slavic ideas during this period.

Mykhailo Skop