Cultural and Religious Significance of the Cyrillo- -Methodian Tradition in Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract

The author of the article discusses the role of the tradition of St. Cyril and Methodius and the reception of this idea in East-Central European culture. Special emphasis was put on presenting the story of the Slavic Rite and its significance, particularly to Eastern Slavs. Later on in the article the author turns his attention to the heritage of St. Cyril and Methodius’s ideas in the works of thinkers from the Hussite circles as well as those from the Roman milieu of Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini. Next, the focus is shifted to the involvement of Jesuits in reviving the Cyril-Methodius tradition, of which so far little is known in historiography. Despite the fact that the origin of this revival was Olomouc, the ideas were also alive in the formed Republic of Poland. In the second half of the 19th century Velehrad became the symbolic place of worship of St. Cyril and St. Methodius. The place became an important centre of Slavic ecumenical movement. Regular conventions and celebrations in Velehrad attracted active figures involved in the national movement both from Moravia, Bohemia and Slovakia as well as other Slavic countries, including Poland. The ministerial work of Jesuits in the town concentrated on the application of the heritage of St. Cyril and Methodius to carry out evangelization and defend Christian values in the world.

Keywords

• Cyril and Methodius
• tradition of St. Cyril and St. Methodius
• Slavs
• Moravia
• Jesuits