Learn all about Saints Cyril and Methodius Day
Now Playing: Lesson Audio
Get this lesson’s key vocab, their translations and pronunciations. Sign up for your Free Lifetime Account Now and get 7 Days of Premium Access including this feature.
| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class — Holidays in the Czech Republic Series at CzechClass101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Czech holidays and observances. I’m Michael, and you're listening to Lesson 6, Saints Cyril and Methodius Day. In Czech, it’s called Den slovanských věrozvěstů Cyrila a Metoděje. |
| On July 5, Czechs celebrate the feast of the arrival of St. Cyril and St. Methodius. They entered their territory, which was then called Great Moravia, from Byzantium, carrying with them the Christian faith and a new system for writing down the vernacular language. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question— |
| What is the name of the alphabet invented by the missionaries? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| Brothers Cyril and Methodius came from Greece at the invitation of the Moravian ruler in 863. They spread the Christian faith or křesťanská víra, and invented an alphabet or abeceda suitable for writing Slavic languages. This alphabet has been used by many Slavic peoples for centuries. |
| Celebrations on this day tend to have an official character. Their main highlight is the solemn Mass celebrated by the highest representatives of the Church or církev. It also involves the participation of political leaders, believers, and other citizens. The largest Mass, broadcast live on television, is held in the ancient basilica at Velehrad, the heart of the former state, Great Moravia or Velká Morava. |
| On this national holiday, people attend solemn Masses and other celebrations. Or, and this is even more common, they use the fact that the next day is also a national holiday or státní svátek to take a vacation. During these days off, they relax with family or friends in tourist destinations at home and abroad. |
| Although the talk is about Cyril and Methodius, Cyril actually lived all his life under the name of Constantine. He took the name Cyril about two months before his death, after entering a monastery. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| What is the name of the alphabet invented by the missionaries? |
| It was called Glagolitic. The author was mainly Cyril, who was one of the most educated people in the Christian world at that time. Czechs and some other Slavic nations used it until the tenth century, when they either switched to the Cyrillic alphabet, which was based in part on Glagolitic, or the older Latin one. |
| Well listeners, how was this lesson? Did you learn something new? |
| What characters do you use in your country? |
| Leave a comment telling us at CzechClass101.com, and I’ll see you in the next lesson! |
Comments
Hide