Saints Cyril and Methodius Day

The holiday traces its roots to the 9th-century Byzantine brothers Cyril and Methodius, who were sent to Great Moravia to spread Christianity. They devised the Glagolitic script to translate the Bible and liturgy into Slavic, enabling religious services in the vernacular. After Cyril's death in Rome, Methodius continued their work, and their disciples spread the Cyrillic alphabet derived from their innovations to Bulgaria, which became the cradle of Slavic literacy.

In Bulgaria, the day was first celebrated as a church feast in the 12th century but gained national prominence during the Bulgarian National Revival (18th–19th centuries). The holiday was officially recognized as a national holiday in 1851, with schools and cultural institutions organizing processions and lectures. After the liberation from Ottoman rule, it became a regular school holiday in 1892 and was restored as a national holiday after the fall of communism in 1990.

On May 24, Bulgarian towns and villages hold processions of students and teachers carrying portraits of the saints and banners with the Cyrillic letters A, B, V, G, D. Schools organize concerts, poetry recitals, and exhibitions highlighting Bulgarian literature and culture. In Sofia, a major procession proceeds through the city center to the monument of Saints Cyril and Methodius, where wreaths are laid.

Families often attend church services dedicated to the saints. Traditional foods include bread shaped like letters or books, and festive meals may feature typical Bulgarian dishes such as banitsa (cheese pie) or kozunak (sweet braided bread). Many people also visit libraries, museums, or take part in book fairs and cultural festivals that emphasize the importance of education and literacy.

Saints Cyril and Methodius Day celebrates the creation of the Slavic alphabet and the establishment of Bulgarian as a literary language. It underscores the role of education, literacy, and cultural identity in Bulgaria's history and national consciousness. The holiday also honors the saints as the spiritual fathers of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the founders of Slavic literature.

For Bulgarians today, the day is a symbol of national pride, unity, and the enduring value of learning. It reaffirms the connection between cultural heritage and modern identity, and is observed with reverence for the past and optimism for the future of Bulgarian letters and culture.