After creating the new literary language, the holy brothers proceeded with the translation of liturgical books. Prof. Iskra Hristova-Shomova says that Cyril and Methodius not only designed a literary language with its own norms, but further enriched it with a compact body of accurate Christian terminology. Their disciples that Bulgarian Tsar Boris I welcomed to this country, established two literary schools in Preslav, Northeastern Bulgaria and in Ohrid, today in the Republic of Macedonia. This was the start of a prosperous literary tradition that transcended the borders of Bulgaria reaching out to exert its powerful influences in Russia, Serbia, Romania and other lands.
Prof. Hristova-Shomova says more: “For us this is the holiest holiday, because the holy brothers opened up spiritual horizons for us and paved the road for our spiritual and literary development. It is universal truth that even the greatest nations and empires risk being buried in oblivion if they lack a script. The Thracians for example, had powerful kingdoms and sophisticated culture, but they had no script, and all that we learn about them comes from written records left over by other cultures. We do have a good reason to celebrate the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, because though Bulgaria was at times great and powerful or weak and at times oppressed, and its sovereigns either gained or lost territories, no one will ever take away from us the precious territory that the two brothers conquered.”
Cyril and Methodius Studies is a sphere attracting a lot of interest. There is now easier access to old manuscripts, and scholars have become increasingly productive.
“Currently, the Bulgarian Slavic medieval scholars are among the best in the world,” Prof. Iskra Hristova-Shomova says. “Bulgaria is a leading country in this area, and during major conferences the working language is Bulgarian. In the last decades Bulgarian researchers have made important discoveries. Fortunately, there are also a few young people keen on Cyril and Methodius studies. Some of them have already become known in international Slavic research circles.”
English version Daniela Konstantinova
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