The Monument to Cyril and Methodius in Moscow

Cyril (827 – 869) and Methodius (825 – 885), originally from Thessaloniki, were enlighteners of the Slavic peoples, creators of the Slavonic alphabet and preachers of Christianity. The holiday in honour of the saints Cyril and Methodius is a state holiday in Russia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and the Republic of Macedonia. The Orthodox Church marks the brothers’ day of remembrance on 24 May. In Latvia this day is not an official holiday, it is celebrated by the Russian community in Latvia as the Day of Slavonic Literature and Culture.