Honoring the Founders of the Cyrillic Alphabet on St. Cyril and Methodius Day: Bulgarians Commemorate the Legacy of the Byzantine Brothers
Thousands Gather in Sofia to Honor Cyril and Methodius, Founders of Cyrillic Alphabet
On Saturday, hundreds of Bulgarians flocked to the Bulgarian capital to pay tribute to Saint Cyril and Methodius, the creators of the Glagolitic script, which later developed into the Cyrillic alphabet. The gathering was a significant cultural and national event in Bulgaria.
Central Sofia was the site of a formal ceremony where people laid flowers at the base of a statue depicting the two Orthodox Church saints. Born in present-day Greece in the 9th century, Saint Cyril and Methodius are credited with creating the Glagolic alphabet, which was later adapted by scholars across the Balkans and eventually evolved into the Cyrillic alphabet.
The event coincided with one of Bulgaria's most important cultural and national holidays. Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov lauded the significance of the holy brothers' contribution during the ceremony: "The greatest and most important gift that the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius left to Bulgaria was writing."
Sofia's mayor, Vasil Teziev, also emphasized the importance of language, stating, "Let us remember not only what we say but how we say it - words have power."
Cyril and Methodius left a legacy that extends beyond the development of the Glagolitic and Cyrillic alphabets. They played a crucial role in the Orthodox Church and Balkan cultural heritage. Days honoring Bulgarian Education and Culture and the Slavic Alphabet—often referred to as "Spiritual Easter"—are recognized on May 11th and 24th in Bulgaria.
Today, the Cyrillic alphabet is not only used in Slavic countries but also in Turkic, Uralic, Caucasian, and other nations, including Mongolia. The alphabet's widespread use highlights the enduring impact of Saint Cyril and Methodius on global culture.
In the heart of Sofia, a home-and-garden show could celebrate the lasting contribution of Cyril and Methodius to Bulgaria's lifestyle, showcasing the beauty and utility of items adorned with Cyrillic alphabet script. For language enthusiasts, an evening seminar on the history and evolution of Slavic scripts could further capitalize on the event's cultural significance.
