MODERN DIMENSIONS OF STS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS AND THEIR HERITAGE IN SLOVAKIA

Abstract

The heritage of Sts. Cyril and Methodius is part of the cultural wealth of several nations and countries, including Slovakia. The most famous present-day regular religious and cultural events dedicated to Sts. Cyril and Methodius are held in Nitra, Terchová, Bojná, Devín, Selce, Sečovce and Stropkov. In addition, Močenok organizes festivities associated with St. Gorazd, a disciple of the Thessalonian brothers. Regular local festivities are also held in some Roman Catholic parishes dedicated to Sts. Cyril and Methodius. After 1989, one could observe an increased degree of veneration of Sts. Cyril and Methodius also in the dedication of new sacral buildings in several villages in Slovakia. Currently, there are 106 larger sacral buildings (churches and chapels) in Slovakia under Cyril and Methodius’s patronage. The profane buildings that bear the name associated with Cyril and Methodius most often include educational institutions and their buildings (University of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra and the Roman Catholic Faculty of Theology of Cyril and Methodius at Comenius University Bratislava etc.). From among the medical institutions, this category includes the Hospital of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, which is part of the largest medical facility in Slovakia – University Hospital Bratislava. The symbolism of Cyril and Methodious was also found e.g. in the coat of arms of the village of Brodské in the district of Skalica. The coat of arms of this village near Skalica portrays two dominant figures who are sometimes interpreted as two Franciscans, but also as Sts. Cyril and Methodius. The second example is the coat of arms of the village of Nová Bošáca in the district of Nové Mesto nad Váhom, which – in addition to the typical plum tree – also includes the letters C and M, symbolizing the new patronage of the Church of Sts. Cyril and Methodius. Intangible assets also include street and square names. In eight Slovak cities (Bratislava-Devín, Košice-Krásna, Nitra, Poprad, Zvolen, Hlohovec, Sečovce and Vrbové) and in the village of Slovenské Nové Mesto, there are squares named after Cyril and Methodius. Within the street names category, we have identified urbanonyms such as: Sts. Cyril and Methodius Street (11x), St. Cyril and St. Methodius Street (1x), Cyril and Methodius Street (1x), Cyrillo-Methodian Street (2x), Cyril‘s Street (2x), Constantine‘s Street (1x), Methodius‘s Street (5x), St. Cyril‘s Riverside (1x), St. Methodius‘s Riverside (1x). The establishment of the cult of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Slovakia can be observed through the growing number of St. Cyril‘s relics also. Currently, the most important impetus for the development of a modern perception of the ever-vibrant legacy of Europe‘s patrons is the certification of the European Cultural Route of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, but also the commitment to future generations in the implementation of the key principles of the Council of Europe (human rights, cultural democracy, cultural diversity and identity, dialogue, mutual exchange and cross-border and cross-century enrichment).