Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Methodius, Archbishop of Moravia, Enlightener of the Slavs

Methodius was born in Thessalonica around 815–820 and, with his brother Cyril, was sent in 863 to Great Moravia, where the brothers began translating the Gospels and liturgical books into Slavonic. After Cyril died in Rome in 869, Methodius was made archbishop for Moravia and Pannonia.

East Frankish bishops deposed him and held him prisoner for about two and a half years, until Pope John VIII secured his release in 873. In 878 he was cleared of the charges against him in Rome and allowed again to celebrate in Slavonic. With his disciples he translated much of the Scriptures and church law. He died on 6 April 885 in Great Moravia. The Church honours him as equal to the apostles, an enlightener of the Slavs.