On this day, April 6th, we commemorate St. Methodius, older brother of St. Cyril, who died in 885 A.D. Historically, Methodius and his brother were missionaries who popularized Christianity among the Slavic peoples. Such was their influence that they are now known as the “Apostles to the Slavs”. When Moravian Prince Ratislav requested the Byzantine Emperor Michael III send missionaries to Moravia to explain Christian truths in their language, Cyril and Methodius were the ones sent. They were known to be keen thinkers and administrators and became the most celebrated missionary team in Eastern Orthodox history. The alphabet they invented gradually morphed into one that is still in use, and was named for Cyril – the Cyrillic alphabet. In 863, they were tasked with translating the Bible into Old Church Slavonic using an alphabet they invented, the Glagolithic alphabet.
The Gospel reading for his commemoration day is Matthew 5: 14-19, which follows: “14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (from Bible GateWay).
