Equal to the Apostles Cyril and Methodius May 24, signs, traditions, prayers

Whom do Saints Cyril and Methodius protect and help?

Representatives of the clergy on this amazing day honor the memory of the venerable brothers Cyril and Methodius. These two brothers were amazing people, they connected their lives with the church, and then created the Slavic alphabet in one of the Greek monasteries. Scientists say that Slavic writing appeared around 863. The new alphabet began to be called “Cyrillic”, this is a direct reference to the name of one of the brothers. Not many people know about this that one of the brothers was named Constantine, until one day he took monastic vows and became Cyril.

Methodius helped his brother. Since childhood, Kirill showed great abilities, he managed to perfectly comprehend all the sciences of his time, one might even say that Kirill was ahead of his time along with his brother. From an early age, Kirill began to study many languages, and based on Greek he created the Slavic alphabet. This man changed the Greek alphabet so much as to accurately convey the Slavic sound system, it is worth admitting that he succeeded.

In total, two alphabets were created - the first was called Glagolitic, while the second was Cyrillic. The brothers also decided to translate the Gospel, Apostle and Psalter into Slavic. For what the brothers did, for their invaluable contribution to the development and culture of the New World, Pope John Paul II in 1980 decided to declare the brothers patrons of the Old Continent. This amazing day began to be celebrated on the territory of Bulgaria two centuries ago, then the tradition migrated to the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova.

Death of the Brothers

In Rome, Constantine (Cyril) became seriously ill, and, having accepted the great schema, died in 869 . Methodius became Archbishop of Moravia. Soon the situation in this country changed with the arrival of a new leader who hindered the spread of faith and writing. As a result, Methodius was put in prison. But after being released from there three years later, he continued to serve the Liturgy in the Slavic language, despite the ban. He also translated the Bible into Slavic. In 885, Methodius became seriously ill and died on Palm Sunday , after preaching in the temple.

The funeral service for the saint was performed in three languages:

Slavic;
Greek;
Latin

Subsequently, ill-wishers achieved a ban on Slavic writing after the death of the brothers. But after some time it was resumed again. The brothers left many students who continued their good work.

Signs and traditions of this day

Since ancient times, in ancient Russia, people said that at this time mermaids woke up. It is still unknown why people thought this way. Mermaids were very feared in Rus'; they say that they were looking for a guy they liked. If he was truly handsome, then the sea maidens would take him to their kingdom, and then charm him and force him to carry out their errands. They say that drowned women, as well as little girls who died unbaptized, became mermaids. If a representative of the fairer sex bathes in a river without a cross, there is a possibility that she may also become a mermaid.

In addition to the day of Cyril and Methodius, the memory of Mokios of Amphipolis is honored at this time. This day became popularly known as Wet. The fact is that it was very rarely dry on this day; it mostly rains at this time. People also judged what to expect in the summer based on the weather on this day. They say that if it rains, the summer will be full of precipitation, but if it was dry, then the summer will be dry and hot.

Earlier on this day they also celebrated a celebration called the Renewal of Tsar Grad. The peasants believed that this was a celebration in honor of the hail, which in a short period of time could destroy everything that the peasants worked on. To prevent this from happening, peasants with sacred faces in their hands walked around their own property and asked the Lord to protect them from rain and hail. Any sowing work at this time was prohibited, people celebrated all day, they say that this way the sky will not be angry and will protect the harvest.

Events

1706 - the Apothecary Garden for growing medicinal plants was founded in Moscow

1718 - Peter I deprived his son Alexei of the rights of heir to the throne

1895 - Oscar Wilde's last play, The Importance of Being Earnest, premiered in London.

1918 - Russia switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar

1933 - The world's first time telephone service opened in Paris.

1946 - the first electronic computer began operating in the USA - ENIAC

1950 - the Soviet-Chinese “Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance” was signed in Moscow.

1952 - VI Winter Olympic Games opened in Oslo (Norway)

1961 - element 103 of the periodic table of chemical elements was discovered in the USSR - Lawrence

2005 - popular video hosting YouTube was founded

How to celebrate Cyril and Methodius Day in 2022

There are no strict restrictions on this day, but it is very important to remember that during any church celebration it is better not to abuse bad habits and not give in to unkind thoughts. If you have children, you can greatly enjoy telling them the story of Cyril and Methodius. They say that you can pray to the sacred face of these two brothers, so you can ask them for good luck in your studies.

Media representatives cover this event with the help of newspapers, magazines and television. On TV they talk about how Cyril and Methodius in ancient times were able to get ahead of their time by several centuries. These two brothers made an invaluable contribution to the development of the Slavic people; people still cannot fully understand how the brothers managed to do this.

Calendar, when according to the church calendar is Kirill’s name day

Saints with the name Cyril are venerated 23 times.

January 31 - Cyril of Alexandria, patriarch, Cyril of Radonezh, schemamonk;
February 17 – Kirill of Novoezersk (Novgorod), reverend;
February 27 - Cyril (Constantine) Philosopher, Moravian, Equal-to-the-Apostles;
March 18 – Cyril, martyr;
March 22 – Cyril of Sebaste, martyr;
March 31 – Cyril of Astrakhan, venerable, Cyril of Jerusalem, patriarch;
April 3 – Cyril of Catania (Sicily), bishop;
April 11 – Cyril of Iliopol, martyr, deacon;
May 11 – Cyril of Turov, bishop;
May 17 - Kirill Alfanov, Sokolnitsky, Novgorod, reverend;
May 23 – Cyprian (Kirin, Cyril) of Bastia, Mesopolis, martyr;
May 24 - Cyril (Constantine) Philosopher, Moravian, Equal to the Apostles;
June 3 - Kirill, bishop, Rostov;
June 22 - Kirill Belsky, Kirill Belozersky, abbot;
June 30 - Kirill Alfanov, Sokolnitsky, Novgorod, reverend;
July 22 – Cyril, martyr, bishop, Gortyn;
August 15 – Cyril, martyr;
September 19 - Cyril, martyr, bishop, Gortyn;
October 11 – Cyril of Radonezh, schemamonk;
October 23 – Cyril of Zografsky, martyr;
November 11 - Cyril, martyr, Cyril of Novoezersk (Novgorod), venerable (Discovery of relics);
December 15 – Cyril Phileot, reverend;
December 21 – Kirill of Chelmogorsk, reverend.

How do prayers to Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius help?

Many Orthodox people believe that praying to two brothers can help before important exams, it doesn’t even matter whether they are at school or college. The most important thing is that you must believe that prayer can help you. It should boost your self-confidence. Only when you gain confidence and believe in the prayer can you say it and then you will receive help from the two great brothers.

St. Kirill, in whose honor the “Cyrillic alphabet” was named, is rightfully considered the patron saint of all teachers, schoolchildren, and students. Cyril is turned to when people want to defend the foundations of the Orthodox faith from heretics. It is not necessary to go to church to pray; you can simply pray while sitting near the icon at home; the most important thing is to maintain purity of thoughts and faith.

Prayer to Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius

About the glorification of the language of the Slovenian teachers and educators, the saints equal to the apostles Cyril and Methodius! To you, as children of your father, enlightened by the light of your teachings and writings and to the faith of Christ, we now earnestly resort to you and pray in contrition of our hearts. If also your covenant, as disobedient children, was not kept, and about pleasing God, as if you had purified it, carelessly, and from like-mindedness and love, even in words, as to brothers in faith and in the flesh, you bequeath goodness, to the fallen: both, as in ancient times In your life, you do not turn away the ungrateful and unworthy, but reward evil for evil, so now you do not turn away your sinful and unworthy children from your prayers, but as those who have great boldness towards the Lord, diligently pray to Him, that He may instruct and turn us to the path of salvation, while discord and may the discords that arise among the brothers of the same faith be pacified, those falling away again brought into unanimity, and unite us all with unity of spirit and love in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church: we know, we know that the prayer of the righteous can do much to the mercy of the Lord, even and about sinful people it is offered: do not forsake us, your sad and unworthy children (names), for whose sin your flock, gathered by you, is divided by enmity and seduced by temptations from the Gentiles, has diminished, and its Slovenian sheep, scattered from mental wolves, admire: Give us, through your prayers, zeal for Orthodoxy, so that we are kindled by it, we will preserve the traditions of our fathers well, we will faithfully observe the statutes and customs of the church, we will run away from all strange false teachings, and so we will prosper in a life pleasing to God on earth, we will be worthy of heavenly life in heaven, and there with Together we will glorify the Lord of all, in the Trinity, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Second prayer

We earnestly pray for the all-praise of Equal-to-the-Apostles Methodius and Cyril, bowing down before your honorable icon: look mercifully at us, whom you have enlightened by your labor, and protect us with your vigilant intercession from the evil machinations of the enemy! Look at these grapes, which you naturally planted, and do not give them over to the wild boar. Preserve, holy saints of God, our Orthodox Church, which you have built on the cornerstone of Christ, for it will be immovable, but let the waves of all lack of faith be scattered on this stone. Strengthen our shepherds in all virtues and in the struggle of preaching, and instruct the flock to listen to their voices. Save the entire Slovenian country from all poverty, from fire and sword, from deadly plagues and from all evil. You will hear every person; coming to you with faith and demanding your gracious help. In the terrible hour of death, appear to all of us as blazing intercessors and driving away the dark shadows of demons, so that in peace and repentance, having finished our earthly career, we will achieve the eternal blessings of pleasure and together with you we will glorify the Most Holy Trinity - the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever forever and ever. Amen.

Prayers

Troparion, tone 4

As an apostle of unity/ and teachers of the Slovenian countries,/ Cyril and Methodius of God,/ pray to the Lord of all,/ to establish all Slovenian languages in Orthodoxy and unanimity,/ to pacify us ́r // and save our souls.

Kontakion, tone 3

We honor the sacred duo of our enlighteners, / who poured forth from the Divine Scriptures the source of knowledge of God for us, / from which we even draw endlessly to this day, / we please you, Cyril and Matthew this,/ To the Throne of the Most High // and to those who warmly pray for our souls.

Greatness

We magnify you,/ saints Equal to the Apostles Methodius and Cyril,/ who enlightened the entire Slovenian country with your teachings // and brought them to Christ.