Holidays

Cyril & Methodius Day

In an effort to limit the influence of encroaching Germanic neighbors, Czech Prince Rostislav in 863 invited Byzantine monks and brothers Cyril and Methodius of Thessalonica to come to the Czech lands to preach the gospel in the Slavonic language (a predecessor of Czech). In addition to Christianity, these missionaries introduced literacy to the Slavic peoples of Central Europe. Consequently, they are sometimes known as the “apostles of the Slavs.” The holiday is observed on July 5 because it coincides with the date of the Catholic feast day of Cyril and Methodius that was created by the Pope in 1880.