Saint Methodius

I was born in 815 in Greece, with the name Michael. My father served as an army officer in the Byzantine Empire. I served as a governor in one of the empire’s provinces. Some years later, I renounced my position and took the decision to become a monk. I entered the monastery and not long after I was joined by my brother, who later took the name Cyril. Early in 860s together we were sent to bring the Gospel to the Slavonic people in the east of Europe. Among other things, we translated the liturgy into their language. To aid our mission, my brother invented a Slavonic alphabet and I translated much of the Bible into Slavonic. During our mission we were opposed by certain religious authorities so we traveled to Rome to ask Pope Adrian II to confirm our mission, what he did. After Cyril’s death in 869, I was consecrated a bishop by the pope. I spent the remaining years of my life in missionary activity, despite the oppositions I encountered. I died in 885.