Cyril and Methodius must have often wondered, as we do today, how God could bring spiritual meaning out of worldly concerns. Every mission they went on, every struggle they fought was a result of political battles, not spiritual, and yet the political battles are forgotten and their work lives on in the Slavic peoples and their literature.
Tradition tells us that the brothers Methodius and Constantine (he did not take the name Cyril until just before his death) grew up in Thessalonica as sons of a prominent Christian family. Because many Slavic people settled in Thessalonica, it is assumed Constantine and Methodius were familiar with the Slavic language. Methodius, the older of the two brothers, became an important civil official who would have needed to know Slavonic. He grew tired of worldly affairs and retired to a monastery. Constantine became a scholar and a professor known as “the Philosopher” in Constantinople. In 860 Constantine and Methodius went as missionaries to what is today the Ukraine.
PRAYER TO ST CYRIL AND ST METHODIUS
O God, who enlightened the Slavic peoples
through the brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius,
grant that our hearts may grasp the words of your teaching,
and perfect us as a people of one accord
in true faith and right confession.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
PRAYER
Almighty and everlasting God, who by the power of the Holy Spirit moved your servants Cyril and Methodius to bring the light of the Gospel to a hostile and divided people: Overcome all bitterness and strife among us by the love of Christ, and make us one united family under the banner of the Prince of Peace; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
PRAYER TO ST CYRIL AND ST METHODIUS
Father,
you brought the light of the gospel to the Slavic nations
through Saint Cyril and his brother Saint Methodius.
Open our hearts to understand your teaching
and help us to become one in faith and praise.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
THREE DAYS OF PRAYERS IN HONOUR OF SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS
OPENING PRAYER
God the Father of kindness, enlightened by the missionary ideal of Saint Cyril and Methodius, may we too be clothed with the grace to bring the message of love that flows from the gospel to the most abandoned men and women of our time, bearing witnesses to the life of the gospel in the imitation of saint Cyril and Methodius. through their humble prayers, may we come to enjoy the graces of (name your intentions). Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius, pray for us.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Blessed be Saints Cyril and Methodius. Patrons of Europe, who serve as an example to us with their prayers, ingenuity, and consistent apostolic work, and continue to be, more than a millennium later. Inspirers of fruitful dialogue, harmony, and fraternal encounter between Churches, States, and peoples! May their shining example awaken many imitators in our day too, and create new paths of peace and harmony. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius, pray for us!
PRAYER TO ST CYRIL AND ST METHODIUS
Saints Cyril and Methodius, you both gave your lives to the service of God. You served with zeal, creativity, and much determination. Please pray for me, that God may use me to become an instrument of His saving grace to those in need, bringing the Good News in ways that they can relate. Saints Cyril and Methodius, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.
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