Cyril and Methodius were brothers from Thessalonica in the ninth century who became missionaries to the Slavic peoples of Moravia. Cyril devised an alphabet so the Slavs could have the Scriptures and the liturgy in their own language, and Methodius continued the work as a bishop after his brother's death in Rome in 869.
The holy brothers gave up comfort and position to carry the Gospel to people in words those people could truly understand, trusting that God speaks every language of the human heart. Their patient, gentle labor reminds us that love takes the trouble to meet others where they are, and that faith handed on with tenderness endures for generations.
Lord, who through Saints Cyril and Methodius brought the light of the Gospel to many peoples, open our hearts to understand Your word and to share Your love in ways that comfort and heal. Amen.