Daily Devotions

Second Reading from the Office of Readings of the Liturgy of the Hours for February 14, Memorial of Cyril, monk, and Methodius, bishop

Saint Cyril was born in Thessalonica and educated in Constantinople. He accompanied his brother Methodius to Moravia to preach the faith. They both prepared Slavic liturgical texts in what would subsequently be known as the Cyrillic alphabet. Both were summoned to Rome, where Cyril died on February 14, 869, while Methodius was consecrated bishop and went to Pannonia where he tirelessly preached the Gospel. Though suffering much from detractors, he received assistance from the Roman Pontiffs. Methodius died on April 6, 885 in Velehrad, Czechoslovakia.

From an Old Slavonic Life of Constantine

(Cap. 18: Denkschriften der kaiserl. Akademie der Wissenschaften, 19 [Wien 1870], p. 246)

Build up your Church and gather all into unity

Constantine, already burdened by many hardships, became ill. At one point during his extended illness, he experienced a vision of God and began to sing this verse: "My spirit rejoiced and my heart exulted because they told me we shall go into the house of the Lord."

Afterward he remained dressed in the vestments that were to be venerated later, and rejoiced for an entire day, saying: "From now on, I am not the servant of the emperor or of any man on earth, but of almighty God alone. Before, I was dead, now I am alive and I shall live for ever. Amen."

The following day, he assumed the monastic habit and took the religious name Cyril. He lived the life of a monk for fifty days.

When the time came for him to set out from this world to the peace of his heavenly homeland, he prayed to God with his hands outstretched and his eyes filled with tears: "O Lord, my God, you have created the choirs of angels and spiritual powers; you have stretched forth the heavens and established the earth, creating all that exists from nothing. You hear those who obey your will and keep your commands in holy fear. Hear my prayer and protect your faithful people, for you have established me as their unsuitable and unworthy servant.

"Keep them free from harm and the worldly cunning of those who blaspheme you. Build up your Church and gather all into unity. Make your people known for the unity and profession of their faith. Inspire the hearts of your people with your word and your teaching. You called us to preach the Gospel of your Christ and to encourage them to lives and works pleasing to you.

"I now return to you, your people, your gift to me. Direct them with your powerful right hand, and protect them under the shadow of your wings. May all praise and glorify your name, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen."

Once he had exchanged the gift of peace with everyone, he said: "Blessed be God, who did not hand us over to our invisible enemy, but freed us from his snare and delivered us from perdition." He then fell asleep in the Lord at the age of forty-two.

The Patriarch commanded all those in Rome, both the Greeks and Romans, to gather for his funeral. They were to chant over him together and carry candles; they were to celebrate his funeral as if he had been a pope. This they did.

Responsory: Psalm 89:20, 21-22; Jeremiah 3:15

You spoke to your saints and told them:
I have exalted one chosen from the people;
I have found David my servant.
--With my holy oil I have anointed him:
the power of my hand will be with him.

I will give you shepherds after my own heart;
they will nourish you on knowledge and understanding.
--With my holy oil I have anointed him:
the power of my hand will be with him.

Prayer

Father,
you brought the light of the gospel to the Slavic nations
through Saint Cyril and his brother Saint Methodius.
Open our hearts to understand your teaching
and help us to become one in faith and praise.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Let us praise the Lord.
--And give him thanks.

Posted by billw at February 14, 2004 01:15 AM