Two Brothers

Who first brought the Gospel to this part of the world where we live and serve?

Most would say it was two missionary brothers from Greece, Cyril and Methodius.

In 863 AD!

A Czech sculptor made this sand sculpture of the two brothers two years ago!

This year, the Church in the Czech Republic is commemorating the 1150th anniversary of their arrival into Great Moravia. Pretty amazing that they're still commemorated after all these years.

From information that I found online it's said that the Moravians wished for a teacher who could instruct them and conduct services in the Slavonic tongue. On account of the brothers' acquaintance with the language, Cyril and Methodius were chosen for their work.

In preparation for it Cyril invented an alphabet (can you imagine that?!) and, with the help of his brother, Methodius, translated the Gospels and the necessary liturgical books into Slavonic. They went to Moravia in 863, and labored for four and a half years.

Today is the actual holiday that is celebrated here in the Czech Republic, remembering their contribution to this land, which I find fascinating since what they came for was to share the Gospel!

If you were to come to our region, you would find this chapel and monument atop Radhošť, a mountain peak nearby, in commemoration of these two brothers.

I still pray for the spread of the Gospel that began all those years ago by these faithful men.