Archbishop
The holy equal-to-the-apostles brothers, the first teachers of the Slavs, came from a noble family in Solun. Saint Methodius, the elder brother, was a military governor in a Slavic principality, where he learned the Slavic language. After accepting monasticism, he, together with his younger brother Constantine (Cyril), who was an outstanding scholar, went to preach to the Khazars. In Chersonesus, they found the holy relics of Clement, the Pope of Rome, and books in the Slavic language. In 863, they created the Slavic alphabet and translated the necessary liturgical books. After a successful mission in Moravia, they faced opposition from German bishops, who complained to Rome. In Rome, Pope Adrian approved the liturgy in the Slavic language, but soon after, Saint Constantine passed away on February 14, 869. Saint Methodius continued his brother's work, was ordained as an archbishop, and continued to preach despite persecution. He translated the Old Testament and other sacred books into the Slavic language. Sensing his end, he pointed to his disciple Gorazd as his successor and passed away on April 6, 885, being buried in Veligrad.
