THE INTRODUCTION OF SLAVIC LITURGY IN GREAT MORAVIA

Cyril and Methodius came to Moravia in 863 to help spread Christianity. They created a new script, Glagolitic, and used it to translate the Gospels. Thus they laid the foundation for Old Church Slavonic, the new church language.

The central motif of the painting represents the event of 880, with the capital of Great Moravia - Velehrad. In the midst of those present is Bishop Methodius, who has come from Rome with a new papal mandate. Prince Svatopluk, sitting on a throne, is surrounded by bishops, nobles, Frankish knights, and a deacon, who reads a letter from the pope. This document appoints Methodius as archbishop and allows for services in the Slavonic language.

Among the emerging motives in the painting is the rule of Prince Rastislav, who observes a group of people undergoing forced baptism by the bishop. Below this group on the right is depicted Apostle Cyril in a cope, representing spiritual protection. In the upper center are two figures sitting on a sword shaped like a boat. These figures represent the brothers St. Gleb and St. Boris, patrons of Russian lands and sailors. The sword in the shape of a boat symbolizes the voyage of the Slavic nations toward Christianity. In the upper right part are four figures representing the liturgical connection of Great Moravia with Kyivan Rus and Greater Bulgaria. These are St. Boris and Prince Igor with their wives.

The figure of a young man with a circle and a clenched fist concludes the scene, representing strength and cohesion.