site.btaMay 24: Celebration of Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, Bulgarian Alphabet, Education, Culture, Slavic Literature

May 24, celebrated as the Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian Alphabet, Education and Culture, and of Slavic Literature, is one of the most significant cultural holidays in Bulgaria. It honours the creation of the Glagolitic alphabet by Saints Cyril and Methodius around 863 AD, the Cyrillic script by their disciples in Bulgaria and the broader impact of Slavic literacy and cultural identity.

The celebration was established in the 12th century by the Eastern Orthodox Church, designating May 11 (Julian calendar) to mark the joint legacy of the two brothers in spreading Christianity and literacy among the Slavic peoples. Following Bulgaria's adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1916, the date shifted to May 24.

In 1880, Pope Leo XIII introduced this feast into the calendar of the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church.

The first official secular celebration of the work of Saints Cyril and Methodius was organized on May 11 (Julian calendar), 1851, in Plovdiv by Nayden Gerov, a leading educator and cultural figure.

During the socialist period (1944-1989), May 24 was celebrated as an educational and cultural holiday, while on March 30, 1990, the 9th National Assembly officially adopted it as a national holiday in Bulgaria.

Pope John Paul II declared Saints Cyril and Methodius as co-patron saints of Europe on December 31, 1980 and since then the Catholic Church celebrates them on February 14 (Cyril’s death), highlighting the brothers’ contributions to European Christianity.

In Bulgaria, in 1963, the 1100th anniversary of the creation of the Slavic alphabet and letters was commemorated. On this occasion, various festive and academic events were held throughout the year. The culmination of the celebrations took place on May 24, when a parade was held in downtown Sofia in the presence of politicians, diplomats, and scholars from many Slavic countries.

Following is BTA's news piece on the commemoration of the 1100th anniversary of the creation of the Slavic alphabet and letters:

The 1100th Anniversary of the Creation of the Slavic Alphabet and Letters

Sofia, March 26, 1963 (BTA) - In the current year, 1963, Bulgaria marks 1100 years since the creation of the Slavic alphabet and letters by the brothers Cyril and Methodius. To organize the celebration of this glorious anniversary, a Central Action Committee was formed (...)

At its meeting on the 25th of this month, the Central Action Committee reviewed the preparations for the celebration and outlined a number of new activities. It is planned that in 1963, a monument to Cyril and Methodius will be unveiled, to be constructed in front of the Vasil Kolarov National Library.

The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is preparing the publication of a special volume of scholarly materials about the work of Cyril and Methodius and the development of Bulgarian education and culture. The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the Sofia State University are organizing a scientific session dedicated to the legacy of Cyril and Methodius.