St. Cyril and St. Methodius

Cyril and Methodius were brothers born in Thessaloniki in the 9th century, who became missionaries of Christianity among the Slavs. Their work influenced the cultural development of all Slavic peoples, and they received the title Apostles to the Slavs. They are credited with devising the Glagolitic alphabet, the first alphabet used to transcribe the Old Church Slavonic language. The Cyrillic alphabet, which was based on the Glagolitic alphabet, is still used in a number of Slavic and other languages. Both brothers are venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church. In 1880, Pope Leo XIII introduced their feast into the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1980, Pope John Paul II declared them Co-patrons of Europe, together with Saint Benedict of Nursia.

They are patrons of slavic nations, and of the unity of Eastern and Western Churches. Their Feast Day is celebrated on May 11 in the Orthodox Church, and on February 14 in the Catholic Church.