The alphabet is also a set of symbols used to convey written speech in a particular language, otherwise the alphabet; and a book for mastering the alphabet and the basics of written literacy.
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Therefore, answering the question, what was the name of the first Slavic alphabet, one should speak about both the symbolic corpus and the book.

Cyrillic or Glagolitic?

Traditionally, the Cyrillic alphabet is called the first Slavic alphabet. We use it to this day. Also, the official version says that the creators of the first Slavic alphabet were Methodius and Constantine (Cyril) Philosopher - Christian preachers from Greek city Thessaloniki.

In 863, presumably, they streamlined the Old Slavonic writing and, with the help of a new alphabet - Cyrillic (named after Cyril) - began to translate Greek religious texts into Slavic (Old Bulgarian). This activity of theirs led to a significant spread of Orthodoxy.

For a long time it was believed that the brothers created the alphabet, which became the basis for 108 modern languages- Russian, Montenegrin, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Serbian, a number of Caucasian, Turkic, Ural and others. However, now most scientists consider the Cyrillic alphabet a later formation, and its predecessor - the Glagolitic.

It was the Glagolitic alphabet that Cyril the Philosopher developed to translate religious texts (“books without which Divine services are not performed”) into the old Slavic. There are several proofs for this:

- Glagolitic inscription of 893 (exact date) in the church of Preslavl;

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- palimpsests - parchment manuscripts, on which the old - Glagolitic - text was scraped off, and the new one was already written in Cyrillic: parchments were very expensive, therefore, for the sake of economy, more important things were written down, scraping off records that had lost their relevance;

- the absence of palimpsests, on which the Cyrillic alphabet is the first layer;

- the presence of negative references to the Glagolitic alphabet in the context of the need to replace it with “Slavic pimens”, in which there are “more holiness and honor”, ​​for example, in the work of Chernorizets Brave “On Writings”.

In ancient Russian writing, Glagolitic was used extremely rarely as a later one, usually as a secret script or separate inclusions in Cyrillic texts.

Who is the author of the Cyrillic alphabet?

According to scientists, the creator of the Cyrillic alphabet is Clement Ohridsky, a student of Cyril the Philosopher, a resident of the Bulgarian city of Ohrid (now Macedonia). In 893, a popular council in Veliky Preslavl unanimously voted for the election of Clement "bishop of the Slavic language" - this is another evidence in favor of his authorship of the Cyrillic alphabet.

The first printed alphabet

The first printed alphabets, or primers, appeared in the 16th century. In 1574, the pioneer printer Ivan Fedorov published his "ABC" in Lvov, the addressee of the book is "beloved honest Christian Russian people."

The circulation, together with the second building - Ostroh, amounted to about 2,000 copies. The second edition contained not only letters (symbols), but also exercises for practicing reading.

Only three books from the first ABCs of Fedorov have survived. One "ABC" of 1574 belonged to S. P. Diaghilev (1872 - 1929) - a Russian theatrical figure, organizer of the Parisian "Russian Seasons" and "Russian Ballet of Diaghilev". When the owner died, the relic became the property of the Harvard University Library.

Two other "ABCs" of 1578 are kept in the Copenhagen Royal Library and the State Library in the Goths in Germany.

The "ABC" of Ivan Fedorov is built on the Roman and Greek subjunctive learning system. First, it contains an alphabet of 46 letters. Further - the reverse (from "izhitsa" to "az") alphabet, the alphabet in eight vertical columns. Behind him are syllables of two letters, syllables of three letters ( possible combinations all vowels with all consonants).

Such an arrangement of material in the book reflects the system of teaching literacy, in which images and names of symbols were first firmly memorized, then syllables, and only after that the student began to read texts taken from the Bible.

The texts were not just religious, but always instructive, educative. We must pay tribute to the first printer, the teachings were addressed not only to children, but also to parents, for example: do not irritate your children. Perhaps this to some extent determined the general direction of Russian literature to this day.

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In 1596, the first primer "Science to Reading ..." by Lavrenty Zizania was published in Vilna. In 1634, Vasily Burtsov published in Moscow "A Primer of the Slovenska Language". Since then, the printing of ABCs has become massive.

Cyril and Methodius are the Slavic first teachers, the great preachers of Christianity, canonized not only by the Orthodox, but also by the Catholic Church.

The life and work of Cyril (Konstantin) and Methodius is reproduced in sufficient detail on the basis of various documentary and chronicle sources.

Cyril (826-869) received this name when he was tonsured into the schema 50 days before his death in Rome, he lived all his life with the name Konstantin (Konstantin the Philosopher). Methodius (814-885) - the monastic name of the monk, the secular name is unknown, presumably his name was Michael.

Cyril and Methodius are brothers. They were born in the city of Thessaloniki (Thessaloniki) in Macedonia (now the territory of Greece). Since childhood, they have mastered the Old Slavonic language - Old Bulgarian. From the words of Emperor Michael III "Thessalonica" - all speak pure Slavic.

Both brothers lived mostly spiritual lives, striving for the embodiment of their beliefs and ideas, attaching no importance to sensual pleasures, or wealth, or career, or fame. The brothers never had wives or children, wandered all their lives without creating a home or permanent shelter, and even died in a foreign land.

Both brothers went through life, actively changing it in accordance with their views and beliefs. But as traces of their deeds, only the fruitful changes they made to the life of the people, and vague stories of lives, traditions, and legends, remained.

The brothers were born in the family of Leo-drungarius, a Byzantine commander of the middle rank from the city of Thessaloniki. The family had seven sons, with Methodius being the eldest, and Cyril being the youngest of them.

According to one version, they came from a pious Slavic family that lived in the Byzantine city of Thessalonica. From a large number of historical sources, mainly from " Brief Life Clement of Ohrid” it is known that Cyril and Methodius were Bulgarians. Since in the 9th century the First Bulgarian Kingdom was a multinational state, it is not completely possible to determine exactly whether they were Slavs or Proto-Bulgarians, or even had other roots. The Bulgarian kingdom consisted mainly of the ancient Bulgarians (Turks) and Slavs, who already formed a new ethnic group - the Slavic Bulgarians, who retained the old name of the ethnic group, but were already a Slavic-Turkic people. According to another version, Cyril and Methodius were of Greek origin. There is also an alternative theory of the ethnic origin of Cyril and Methodius, according to which they were not Slavs, but Bulgars (Proto-Bulgarians). This theory also refers to the assumptions of historians that the brothers created the so-called. Glagolitic - an alphabet that looks more like Old Bulgarian than Slavic.

Little is known about the first years of Methodius' life. Probably, there was nothing outstanding in the life of Methodius until she interbred with the life of his younger brother. Methodius entered the military service early and was soon appointed governor of one of the Slavic-Bulgarian regions subject to Byzantium. Methodius spent about ten years in this position. Then he left the military-administrative service alien to him and retired to a monastery. In the 860s, having renounced the rank of archbishop, he became abbot of the Polychron monastery on the Asian coast of the Sea of ​​Marmara, near the city of Cyzicus. Here, in a quiet shelter on Mount Olympus, Constantine also moved for several years, in the interval between travels to the Saracens and the Khazars. The older brother, Methodius, walked through life on a straight, clear path. Only twice did he change its direction: the first time - by going to the monastery, and the second - again returning under the influence of his younger brother to active work and struggle.

Cyril was the youngest of the brothers, from infancy he showed extraordinary mental abilities, but he did not differ in health. The eldest, Mikhail, even in children's games defended the youngest, weak with a disproportionately large head, with small and short arms. He will protect his younger brother until his death - both in Moravia, and at the cathedral in Venice, and before the papal throne. And then he will continue his brotherly work in written wisdom. And, holding hands, they will go down in the history of world culture.

Cyril was educated in Constantinople at the Magnavrian school, the best educational institution in Byzantium. Cyril's education was taken care of by the secretary of state Theoctist himself. Before reaching the age of 15, Cyril was already reading the works of the most thoughtful church father, Gregory the Theologian. A capable boy was taken to the court of Emperor Michael III, as a comrade in teaching to his son. Under the guidance of the best mentors - including Photius, the future famous Patriarch of Constantinople - Cyril studied ancient literature, rhetoric, grammar, dialectics, astronomy, music and other "Hellenic arts". The friendship of Cyril and Photius largely predetermined the future fate of Cyril. In 850, Cyril became a professor at the Magnavra school. Rejecting a profitable marriage and a brilliant career, Cyril accepted the priesthood, and after secretly leaving for a monastery, he began to teach philosophy (hence the nickname Konstantin - "Philosopher"). Proximity with Photius affected Cyril's struggle with the iconoclasts. He wins a brilliant victory over the experienced and ardent leader of the iconoclasts, which undoubtedly gives Constantine wide fame. The wisdom and strength of faith of the still very young Constantine were so great that he managed to defeat the leader of the heretic iconoclasts Annius in the debate. After this victory, Constantine was sent by the emperor to debate the Holy Trinity with the Saracens (Muslims) and also won. Returning, Saint Constantine withdrew to his brother Saint Methodius on Olympus, spending time in unceasing prayer and reading the works of the holy fathers.

The "Life" of the saint testifies that he knew Hebrew, Slavonic, Greek, Latin and Arabic languages ​​well. Rejecting a profitable marriage, as well as the administrative career offered by the emperor, Cyril became the patriarchal librarian at Hagia Sophia. Soon he secretly retired to a monastery for six months, and upon his return he taught philosophy (external - Hellenic and internal - Christian) at the court school - the higher educational institution of Byzantium. Then he received the nickname "Philosopher", which remained with him forever. Constantine was called the Philosopher for a reason. Every now and then he broke out of the noisy Byzantium somewhere in solitude. I read and thought for a long time. And then, having accumulated another store of energy and thoughts, he generously squandered it in travels, disputes, debates, in scientific and literary creativity. Cyril's education was highly valued in the highest circles of Constantinople, he was often attracted to various diplomatic missions.

Cyril and Methodius had many students who became their true followers. Among them, I would especially like to mention Gorazd Ohrid and St. Naum.

Gorazd Ohridsky - a disciple of Methodius, the first Slavic archbishop - he was the archbishop of Mikulchitsa, the capital of Great Moravia. Revered by the Orthodox Church in the guise of saints, commemorated on July 27 (according to the Julian calendar) in the Cathedral of the Bulgarian Enlighteners. In 885-886, under Prince Svyatopolk I, a crisis broke out in the Moravian Church, Archbishop Gorazd entered into a dispute with the Latin clergy, headed by Vihtig, Bishop of Nitrava, against whom St. Methodius imposed an anathema. Wichtig, with the approval of the pope, expelled Gorazd from the diocese and 200 priests with him, and he himself took his place as archbishop. Then Clement of Ohrid also fled to Bulgaria. They took with them the works created in Moravia and settled in Bulgaria. Those who did not obey - according to the testimony - the Life of St. Clement of Ohrid - were sold into slavery to Jewish merchants, from whom they were ransomed by the ambassadors of Emperor Basil I in Venice and transported to Bulgaria. In Bulgaria, students created world-famous literary schools in Pliska, Ohrid and Preslavl, from where their works began to spread throughout Russia.

Naum is a Bulgarian saint, especially revered in modern Macedonia and Bulgaria. St. Naum, together with Cyril and Methodius, as well as with his ascetic Clement of Ohrid, is one of the founders of Bulgarian religious literature. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church includes St. Naum among the Seven. In 886-893. he lived in Preslav, becoming the organizer of the local literary school. After he created a school in Ohrid. In 905 he founded a monastery on the shores of Lake Ohrid, today named after him. His relics are also kept there.

Mount St. Naum on the island of Smolensk (Livingston) is also named after him.

In 858, Constantine, at the initiative of Photius, became the head of a mission to the Khazars. During the mission, Constantine replenishes his knowledge of the Hebrew language, which was used by the educated elite of the Khazars after their adoption of Judaism. On the way, during a stop in Chersonese (Korsun), Constantine discovered the remains of Clement, Pope of Rome (I-II centuries), who died, as they thought then, here in exile, and took some of them to Byzantium. The journey deep into Khazaria was filled with theological disputes with Mohammedans and Jews. The whole course of the dispute, Constantine subsequently outlined in Greek for reporting to the patriarch; later this report, according to the legends, was translated by Methodius into the Slavic language, but, unfortunately, this work has not come down to us. At the end of 862, the prince of Great Moravia (the state of the Western Slavs) Rostislav turned to the Byzantine emperor Michael with a request to send preachers to Moravia who could spread Christianity in the Slavic language (sermons in those parts were read in Latin, unfamiliar and incomprehensible to the people). The emperor called Saint Constantine and said to him: "You must go there, for no one can do it better than you." Saint Constantine, with fasting and prayer, embarked on a new feat. Constantine goes to Bulgaria, converts many Bulgarians to Christianity; according to some scholars, during this trip he begins his work on the creation of the Slavic alphabet. Constantine and Methodius arrived in Great Moravia, owning the southern Slavic dialect of Thessalonica (now - Thessaloniki), i.e. the center of that part of Macedonia, which from time immemorial and up to our time belonged to Northern Greece. In Moravia, the brothers taught literacy and involved in translation activities, and not just copying books, people who spoke, undoubtedly, some northwestern Slavic dialects. This is directly evidenced by lexical, word-building, phonetic and other linguistic discrepancies in the most ancient Slavic books that have come down to us (in the Gospel, the Apostle, the Psalter, the Menaions of the 10th-11th centuries). Indirect evidence is the later practice of Grand Duke Vladimir I Svyatoslavich, described in the Old Russian Chronicle, when in 988 he introduced Christianity in Russia as state religion. It was the children of his “deliberate child” (i.e., the children of his courtiers and the feudal elite) that Vladimir attracted for “book learning”, sometimes even by force, since the Chronicle reports that their mothers wept for them as if they were dead.

After the completion of the translation, the holy brothers were received with great honor in Moravia, and began to teach Divine Liturgy in the Slavic language. This aroused the anger of the German bishops, who celebrated Divine Liturgy in Latin in the Moravian churches, and they rebelled against the holy brothers, arguing that Divine Liturgy could be celebrated only in one of three languages: Hebrew, Greek or Latin. Saint Constantine answered them: “You recognize only three languages ​​worthy of glorifying God in them. But David cries out: Sing to the Lord, all the earth; praise the Lord, all nations; let every breath praise the Lord! And in the Holy Gospel it is said: Go, teach all the languages...” The German bishops were put to shame, but became even more embittered and filed a complaint with Rome. The holy brothers were called to Rome to resolve this issue.

In order to be able to preach Christianity in the Slavic language, it was necessary to make a translation of the Holy Scripture into the Slavic language; however, the alphabet capable of conveying Slavic speech did not exist at that moment.

Constantine set about creating the Slavic alphabet. With the help of his brother Saint Methodius and the disciples of Gorazd, Clement, Savva, Naum and Angelyar, he compiled the Slavic alphabet and translated into Slavonic the books without which Divine services could not be performed: the Gospel, the Apostle, the Psalter and selected services. All these events date back to 863.

863 is considered the year of birth of the Slavic alphabet

In 863, the Slavic alphabet was created (the Slavic alphabet existed in two versions: the Glagolitic alphabet - from the verb - “speech” and the Cyrillic alphabet; scientists still do not have a consensus which of these two options was created by Cyril). With the help of Methodius, a number of liturgical books were translated from Greek into Slavonic. The Slavs got the opportunity to read and write in their own language. The Slavs not only had their own, Slavic, alphabet, but also the first Slavic literary language was born, many of whose words still live in Bulgarian, Russian, Ukrainian and other Slavic languages.

Cyril and Methodius were the founders of the literary and written language of the Slavs - the Old Slavonic language, which in turn was a kind of catalyst for the creation of the Old Russian literary language, Old Bulgarian and other literary languages Slavic peoples.

The younger brother wrote, the older one translated his works. The younger created the Slavic alphabet, Slavic writing and book business; the elder practically developed what the younger had created. The younger was a talented scientist, philosopher, brilliant dialectician and subtle philologist; the elder is a capable organizer and practical figure.

Konstantin, in the quiet of his refuge, was probably busy completing the work that was in connection with his not new plans for the conversion of pagan Slavs. He compiled a special alphabet for the Slavic language, the so-called "Glagolitic", and began the translation of the Holy Scripture into the ancient Bulgarian language. The brothers decided to return to their homeland and to consolidate their business in Moravia - to take with them some of the students, Moravans, for enlightenment in the hierarchical ranks. On the way to Venice, which lay through Bulgaria, the brothers stayed for several months in the Pannonian principality of Kotsela, where, despite its ecclesiastical and political dependence, they did the same as in Moravia. Upon arrival in Venice, Constantine had a violent clash with the local clergy. Here, in Venice, unexpectedly for the local clergy, they are given a kind message from Pope Nicholas with an invitation to Rome. Having received a papal invitation, the brothers continued their journey with almost complete confidence in success. This was further facilitated by the sudden death of Nicholas and the accession to the papal throne of Adrian II.

Rome solemnly welcomed the brothers and the shrine they brought, part of the remains of Pope Clement. Adrian II approved not only the Slavic translation of the Holy Scriptures, but also the Slavic worship, consecrating the Slavic books brought by the brothers, allowing the Slavs to perform services in a number of Roman churches, and consecrate Methodius and three of his disciples as priests. The influential prelates of Rome also favorably reacted to the brothers and their cause.

All these successes went to the brothers, of course, not easily. A skilled dialectician and experienced diplomat, Konstantin skillfully used for this both the struggle of Rome with Byzantium, and the fluctuations of the Bulgarian prince Boris between the Eastern and Western churches, and the hatred of Pope Nicholas for Photius, and the desire of Hadrian to strengthen his shaky authority by acquiring the remains of Clement. At the same time, Byzantium and Photius were still much closer to Constantine than Rome and the popes. But over the three and a half years of his life and struggle in Moravia, the main, only goal of Konstantin was the strengthening of the Slavic script he created, Slavic book publishing and culture.

For almost two years, surrounded by sugary flattery and praise, combined with hidden intrigues of temporarily quiet opponents of Slavic worship, Constantine and Methodius live in Rome. One of the reasons for their long delay was Constantine's deteriorating health.

Despite weakness and illness, Constantine composes two new literary works in Rome: "The Finding of the Relics of St. Clement" and a poetic hymn in honor of the same Clement.

A long and difficult journey to Rome, a tense struggle with the implacable enemies of Slavic writing undermined the already poor health of Constantine. At the beginning of February 869, he went to bed, took the schema and the new monastic name Cyril, and on February 14 he died. Departing to God, Saint Cyril commanded his brother Saint Methodius to continue their common work - the enlightenment of the Slavic peoples with the light of the true faith.

Before his death, Cyril said to his brother: “You and I, like two oxen, led the same furrow. I am exhausted, but don’t you think to leave the work of teaching and retire to your mountain again.” Methodius outlived his brother by 16 years. Enduring hardships and reproach, he continued the great work - translating sacred books into the Slavic language, preaching the Orthodox faith, baptizing the Slavic people. Saint Methodius begged the Pope to allow the body of his brother to be taken away for burial in his native land, but the pope ordered the relics of Saint Cyril to be placed in the church of Saint Clement, where miracles began to be performed from them.

After the death of Saint Cyril, the pope, following the request of the Slavic prince Kocel, sent Saint Methodius to Pannonia, consecrating him to the rank of Archbishop of Moravia and Pannonia, to the ancient throne of the holy Apostle Andronicus. After the death of Cyril (869), Methodius continued his educational activities among the Slavs in Pannonia, where Slavic books also included features of local dialects. In the future, the Old Church Slavonic literary language was developed by the students of the Thessalonica brothers in the region of Lake Ohrid, then in Bulgaria proper.

With the death of a talented brother, for the modest, but selfless and honest Methodius, a painful, truly cross path begins, littered with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, dangers and failures. But the lonely Methodius stubbornly, in no way inferior to his enemies, goes this way to the very end.

True, on the threshold of this path, Methodius relatively easily achieves a new great success. But this success generates an even greater storm of anger and resistance in the camp of the enemies of Slavic writing and culture.

In the middle of 869, Adrian II, at the request of the Slavic princes, sent Methodius to Rostislav, his nephew Svyatopolk and Kotsel, and at the end of 869, when Methodius returned to Rome, elevated him to the rank of archbishop of Pannonia, allowing worship in the Slavic language. Inspired by this new success, Methodius returns to Kotsel. With the constant help of the prince, he, together with his students, unfolds a large and vigorous work to spread Slavic worship, writing and books in the Blaten principality and in neighboring Moravia.

In 870, Methodius was sentenced to prison, having received an accusation of violating the hierarchical rights to Pannonia.

He remained in prison, under the most difficult conditions, until 873, when the new pope John VIII forced the Bavarian episcopate to release Methodius and return him to Moravia. Methodius is forbidden to worship Slavic worship.

He continues the work of the ecclesiastical organization of Moravia. Contrary to the prohibition of the pope, Methodius continues worship in the Slavic language in Moravia. In the circle of his activities, Methodius this time also involved other Slavic peoples neighboring Moravia.

All this prompted the German clergy to take new actions against Methodius. German priests turn Svyatopolk against Methodius. Svyatopolk writes to Rome a denunciation of his archbishop, accusing him of heresy, violating the canons of the Catholic Church and disobeying the pope. Methodius manages not only to justify himself, but even to persuade Pope John to his side. Pope John allows Methodius to worship in the Slavic language, but appoints him Bishop of Wiching, one of Methodius' most ardent opponents. Wiching began to spread rumors about the condemnation of Methodius by the pope, but was exposed.

Tired to the limit and exhausted by all these endless intrigues, forgeries and denunciations, feeling that his health was constantly weakening, Methodius went to rest in Byzantium. Methodius spent almost three years in his homeland. In the middle of 884 he returned to Moravia. Returning to Moravia, Methodius in 883. engaged in the translation into Slavic of the full text of the canonical books of Holy Scripture (except for the Maccabees). Having finished his hard work, Methodius weakened even more. AT last years life activity of Methodius in Moravia proceeded in a very difficult conditions. The Latin-German clergy in every way prevented the spread of the Slavic language as the language of the church. In the last years of his life, Saint Methodius, with the help of two disciple-priests, translated into Slavonic the entire Old Testament, except for the Maccabees, as well as the Nomocanon (Rules of the Holy Fathers) and the patristic books (Paterik).

Anticipating the approach of death, Saint Methodius pointed to one of his disciples, Gorazd, as a worthy successor to himself. The saint predicted the day of his death and died on April 6, 885 at the age of about 60 years. The funeral service for the saint was performed in three languages ​​- Slavonic, Greek and Latin. He was buried in the cathedral church of Velegrad.

With the death of Methodius, his work in Moravia came close to ruin. With the arrival of Viching in Moravia, the persecution of the disciples of Constantine and Methodius began, the destruction of their Slavic church. Up to 200 clergy disciples of Methodius were expelled from Moravia. The Moravian people did not give them any support. Thus, the cause of Constantine and Methodius perished not only in Moravia, but among the Western Slavs in general. On the other hand, it received further life and flourishing from the southern Slavs, partly from the Croats, more from the Serbs, especially from the Bulgarians and, through the Bulgarians, from the Russians, the Eastern Slavs, who united their destinies with Byzantium. This happened thanks to the disciples of Cyril and Methodius, who were expelled from Moravia.

From the period of activity of Constantine, his brother Methodius and their closest students, no written monuments have come down to us, except for the relatively recently discovered inscriptions on the ruins of the church of Tsar Simeon in Preslav (Bulgaria). It turned out that these ancient inscriptions were made not by one, but by two graphic varieties of Old Slavonic writing. One of them received the conditional name "Cyrillic" (from the name Cyril, adopted by Constantine during his tonsure as a monk); the other received the name "Glagolitsy" (from the Old Slavonic "verb", which means "word").

Cyrillic and Glagolitic almost coincided in their alphabetical composition. Cyrillic, according to manuscripts of the 11th century that have come down to us. had 43 letters, and the Glagolitic had 40 letters. Of the 40 Glagolitic letters, 39 served to convey almost the same sounds as the letters of the Cyrillic alphabet. Like the letters of the Greek alphabet, the Glagolitic and Cyrillic letters had, in addition to the sound, also a numerical value, i.e. were used to denote not only speech sounds, but also numbers. At the same time, nine letters served to designate units, nine - for tens and nine - for hundreds. In Glagolitic, in addition, one of the letters meant a thousand; in Cyrillic, a special sign was used to denote thousands. In order to indicate that the letter denotes a number, and not a sound, the letter was usually highlighted on both sides with dots and a special horizontal line was put above it.

In Cyrillic, as a rule, only letters borrowed from the Greek alphabet had digital values: at the same time, each of the 24 such letters was assigned the same digital value that this letter had in Greek digital system. The only exceptions were the numbers "6", "90" and "900".

Unlike the Cyrillic alphabet, the first 28 letters in a row received a numerical value in the Glagolitic, regardless of whether these letters corresponded to Greek or served to convey special sounds of Slavic speech. Therefore, the numerical value of most Glagolitic letters was different from both Greek and Cyrillic letters.

The names of the letters in Cyrillic and Glagolitic were exactly the same; however, the time of occurrence of these names is unclear. The arrangement of letters in the Cyrillic and Glagolitic alphabets was almost the same. This order is established, firstly, on the basis of the numerical value of the Cyrillic and Glagolitic letters, secondly, on the basis of the acrostics of the 12th-13th centuries that have come down to us, and thirdly, on the basis of the order of letters in the Greek alphabet.

The Cyrillic and Glagolitic alphabets differed greatly in the form of their letters. In Cyrillic, the shape of the letters was geometrically simple, clear and easy to write. Of the 43 Cyrillic letters, 24 were borrowed from the Byzantine charter, and the remaining 19 were built to a greater or lesser extent independently, but in compliance with the unified style of the Cyrillic alphabet. The shape of the Glagolitic letters, on the contrary, was extremely complex and intricate, with many curls, loops, etc. On the other hand, the Glagolitic letters were graphically more original than the Cyrillic ones, much less like the Greek ones.

Cyrillic is a very skillful, complex and creative reworking of the Greek (Byzantine) alphabet. As a result of careful consideration of the phonetic composition of the Old Slavonic language, the Cyrillic alphabet had all the letters necessary for the correct transmission of this language. The Cyrillic alphabet was also suitable for the exact transmission of the Russian language, in the 9th-10th centuries. the Russian language was already somewhat phonetically different from Old Church Slavonic. The correspondence of the Cyrillic alphabet to the Russian language is confirmed by the fact that for more than a thousand years it took only two new letters to be introduced into this alphabet; multi-letter combinations and superscript signs are not needed and almost never used in Russian writing. This is what determines the originality of the Cyrillic alphabet.

Thus, despite the fact that many letters of the Cyrillic alphabet coincide in form with the Greek letters, the Cyrillic alphabet (as well as the Glagolitic alphabet) should be recognized as one of the most independent, creatively and in a new way constructed alphabetic-sound systems.

The presence of two graphic varieties of Slavic writing still causes great controversy among scientists. After all, according to the unanimous testimony of all annalistic and documentary sources, Konstantin developed some one Slavic alphabet. Which of these alphabets was created by Constantine? Where and when did the second alphabet appear? Closely related to these questions are others, perhaps even more important ones. But didn’t the Slavs have some kind of writing before the introduction of the alphabet developed by Constantine? And if it existed, what was it?

Evidence of the existence of writing in the pre-Cyrilian period among the Slavs, in particular among the Eastern and Southern, was devoted to a number of works by Russian and Bulgarian scientists. As a result of these works, as well as in connection with the discovery of the most ancient monuments of Slavic writing, the question of the existence of a letter among the Slavs can hardly be in doubt. This is evidenced by many ancient literary sources: Slavic, Western European, Arabic. This is confirmed by the indications contained in the agreements between the Eastern and Southern Slavs with Byzantium, some archaeological data, as well as linguistic, historical and general socialist considerations.

Fewer materials are available to resolve the question of what the oldest Slavic writing was and how it arose. Pre-Cyrillic Slavic writing, apparently, could only be of three types. So, in the light of the development of the general laws of the development of writing, it seems almost certain that long before the formation of relations between the Slavs and Byzantium, they had various local varieties of the original primitive pictographic writing, such as the “features and cuts” mentioned by the Brave. The emergence of the Slavic writing of the type “devils and cuts” should probably be attributed to the first half of the 1st millennium AD. e. True, the oldest Slavic writing could only be a very primitive writing, including a small, unstable and different assortment of simple pictorial and conventional signs for different tribes. This letter could not turn into any developed and ordered logographic system.

The use of the original Slavic script was also limited. These were, apparently, the simplest counting signs in the form of dashes and notches, tribal and personal signs, signs of property, signs for divination, perhaps primitive route schemes, calendar signs that served to date the dates for the start of various agricultural works, pagan holidays, etc. P. In addition to sociological and linguistic considerations, the existence of such a script among the Slavs is confirmed by quite numerous literary sources of the 9th-10th centuries. and archaeological finds. Arising back in the first half of the 1st millennium AD, this letter was probably survived by the Slavs even after the creation of an ordered Slavic alphabet by Cyril.

The second, even more undoubted type of pre-Christian writing of the Eastern and Southern Slavs was a letter that can be conditionally called the letter "proto-Cyril". A letter of the “devils and cuts” type, suitable for marking calendar dates, for divination, counting, etc., was unsuitable for recording military and trade agreements, liturgical texts, historical chronicles and other complex documents. And the need for such records should have appeared among the Slavs simultaneously with the birth of the first Slavic states. For all these purposes, the Slavs, even before they adopted Christianity and before the introduction of the alphabet created by Cyril, undoubtedly used Greek letters in the east and south, and Greek and Latin letters in the west.

The Greek script, used by the Slavs for two or three centuries before they officially adopted Christianity, had to gradually adapt to the transmission of the peculiar phonetics of the Slavic language and, in particular, be replenished with new letters. This was necessary for the accurate recording of Slavic names in churches, in military lists, for recording Slavic geographical names, etc. The Slavs have advanced far along the path of adapting Greek writing to a more accurate transmission of their speech. To do this, ligatures were formed from the corresponding Greek letters, Greek letters were supplemented with letters borrowed from other alphabets, in particular from the Hebrew alphabet, which was known to the Slavs through the Khazars. This is how the Slavic “proto-Cyrillic” writing was probably formed. The assumption of such a gradual formation of the Slavic “proto-Cyrillic” writing is also confirmed by the fact that the Cyrillic alphabet in its later version that has come down to us was so well adapted for the accurate transmission of Slavic speech that this could only be achieved as a result of its long development. These are the two undoubted varieties of pre-Christian Slavic writing.

The third, however, not certain, but only a possible variety of it can be called "proto-verbal" writing.

The process of formation of the alleged proto-verbal writing could take place in two ways. Firstly, this process could proceed under the complex influence of Greek, Jewish-Khazarian, and possibly also Georgian, Armenian and even runic Turkic writing. Under the influence of these writing systems, Slavic "features and cuts" could also gradually acquire an alpha-sound meaning, partially retaining their original form. Secondly, some Greek letters could also be graphically changed by the Slavs in relation to the usual forms of “features and cuts”. Like the Cyrillic alphabet, the formation of proto-verbal writing could also begin among the Slavs no earlier than the 8th century. Since this letter was formed on the primitive basis of the ancient Slavic "features and cuts", insofar as by the middle of the 9th century. it had to remain even less precise and orderly than the proto-Cyrillic writing. In contrast to the proto-Cyrillic alphabet, the formation of which took place almost throughout the entire Slavic territory, which was under the influence of Byzantine culture, the proto-glagolic script, if it existed, was apparently first formed among the Eastern Slavs. In conditions of insufficient development in the second half of the 1st millennium AD. political and cultural ties between the Slavic tribes, the formation of each of the three supposed types of pre-Christian Slavic writing should have occurred in different tribes in different ways. Therefore, we can assume the coexistence among the Slavs not only of these three types of writing, but also of their local varieties. In the history of writing, cases of such coexistence were very frequent.

At present, the writing systems of all the peoples of Russia have been built on the basis of the Cyrillic alphabet. Writing systems built on the same basis are also used in Bulgaria, partly in Yugoslavia and Mongolia. The Cyrillic script is now used by peoples who speak more than 60 languages. Apparently, the Latin and Cyrillic groups of writing systems have the greatest vitality. This is confirmed by the fact that all new peoples are gradually moving to the Latin and Cyrillic basis of writing.

Thus, the foundations laid by Kontantinos and Methodius more than 1100 years ago continue to be continuously improved and successfully developed up to the present time. AT this moment most researchers believe that Cyril and Methodius created the Glagolitic alphabet, and the Cyrillic alphabet was created on the basis of the Greek alphabet by their students.

From the turn of X-XI centuries. Kyiv, Novgorod, and the centers of other Old Russian principalities became the largest centers of Slavic writing. The oldest Slavic handwritten books that have come down to us, having the date of their writing, were created in Russia. These are the Ostromir Gospel of 1056-1057, the Izbornik of Svyatoslav of 1073, the Izbornik of 1076, the Arkhangelsk Gospel of 1092, the Novgorod Menaions dated to the 90s. The largest and most valuable fund of ancient handwritten books dating back to the written heritage of Cyril and Methodius, as well as those named, is located in the ancient repositories of our country.

The unbending faith of two people in Christ and in their ascetic mission for the benefit of the Slavic peoples - that was the driving force behind the penetration, in the end, of writing into Ancient Russia. The exceptional intellect of one and the stoic courage of the other - the qualities of two people who lived a very long time before us, turned into what we now write in their letters, and add up our picture of the world according to their grammar and rules.

It is impossible to overestimate the introduction of writing into Slavic society. This is the greatest Byzantine contribution to the culture of the Slavic peoples. And he was created by Saints Cyril and Methodius. Only with the establishment of writing begins true story people, the history of their culture, the history of the development of their worldview, scientific knowledge, literature and art.

Cyril and Methodius never in their life collisions and wanderings fell into the lands Ancient Russia. They lived more than a hundred years before they officially baptized here and accepted their letters. It would seem that Cyril and Methodius belong to the history of other nations. But it was they who radically turned the life of the Russian people. They gave him the Cyrillic alphabet, which became the blood and flesh of his culture. And this is the greatest gift to the people of a human ascetic.

In addition to the invention of the Slavic alphabet, during the 40 months of their stay in Moravia, Konstantin and Methodius managed to solve two problems: some liturgical books were translated into Church Slavonic (Old Slavonic literary) language and people were trained who were able to serve on these books. However, this was not enough to spread the Slavic worship. Neither Constantine nor Methodius were bishops and could not ordain their disciples as priests. Cyril was a monk, Methodius was a simple priest, and the local bishop was an opponent of Slavic worship. To lend its activity official status the brothers and some of their disciples went to Rome. In Venice, Constantine entered into a discussion with opponents of worship in national languages. Popular in Latin spiritual literature was the idea that worship could only be celebrated in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. The stay of the brothers in Rome was triumphant. Constantine and Methodius brought with them the relics of St. Clement, Pope, who, according to tradition, was a disciple of the Apostle Peter. The relics of Clement were a precious gift, and the Slavic translations of Constantine were blessed.

The disciples of Cyril and Methodius were ordained priests, while the Pope sent a message to the Moravian rulers, in which he officially allowed worship in the Slavic language: reason and true faith, so that he enlightens you, as you yourself asked, explaining to you in your language Holy Scripture, the entire liturgical rite and the holy mass, that is, services, including baptism, as the philosopher Constantine began to do with God's grace and through the prayers of St. Clement.

After the death of the brothers, their activities were continued by their students, who were expelled from Moravia in 886, in the South Slavic countries. (In the West, the Slavic alphabet and Slavic writing did not survive; Western Slavs - Poles, Czechs ... - still use the Latin alphabet). Slavic writing was firmly established in Bulgaria, from where it spread to the countries of the southern and eastern Slavs (IX century). Writing came to Russia in the X century (988 - the baptism of Russia). The creation of the Slavic alphabet was and still is of great importance for the development of Slavic writing, Slavic peoples, Slavic culture.

The merits of Cyril and Methodius in the history of culture are enormous. Cyril developed the first orderly Slavic alphabet and this marked the beginning of the widespread development of Slavic writing. Cyril and Methodius translated many books from Greek, which was the beginning of the formation of the Old Slavonic literary language and Slavic book business. Cyril and Methodius during years carried out a great educational work among the Western and Southern Slavs and greatly contributed to the spread of literacy among these peoples. There is evidence that Cyril created, in addition, original works. Cyril and Methodius for many years carried out great educational work among the Western and Southern Slavs and greatly contributed to the spread of literacy among these peoples. In the course of all their activities in Moravia and Panionia, Cyril and Methodius, in addition, waged an unceasing selfless struggle against the attempts of the German Catholic clergy to ban the Slavic alphabet and books.

Cyril and Methodius were the founders of the first literary and written language of the Slavs - the Old Slavonic language, which in turn was a kind of catalyst for the creation of the Old Russian literary language, Old Bulgarian and the literary languages ​​of other Slavic peoples. The Old Church Slavonic language was able to fulfill this role primarily due to the fact that it initially did not represent something hard and stagnant: it itself was formed from several Slavic languages ​​or dialects.

Finally, when evaluating the educational activities of the Thessalonica brothers, it should be borne in mind that they were not missionaries in the generally accepted sense of the word: they were not engaged in the Christianization of the population as such (although they contributed to it), because Moravia was already a Christian state by the time of their arrival.

The creators of the Slavic alphabet Methodius and Cyril.

At the end of 862, the prince of Great Moravia (the state of the Western Slavs) Rostislav turned to the Byzantine emperor Michael with a request to send preachers to Moravia who could spread Christianity in the Slavic language (sermons in those parts were read in Latin, unfamiliar and incomprehensible to the people).

Emperor Michael sent the Greeks to Moravia - the scientist Constantine the Philosopher (the name Cyril Constantine received when he became a monk in 869, and with this name he went down in history) and his older brother Methodius.

The choice was not random. The brothers Constantine and Methodius were born in Thessalonica (in Greek, Thessaloniki) in the family of a military commander, received a good education. Cyril studied in Constantinople at the court of the Byzantine emperor Michael III, knew Greek, Slavic, Latin, Hebrew, Arabic languages ​​well, taught philosophy, for which he received the nickname Philosopher. Methodius was in military service, then for several years he ruled one of the regions inhabited by the Slavs; subsequently retired to a monastery.

In 860, the brothers had already made a trip to the Khazars for missionary and diplomatic purposes.
In order to be able to preach Christianity in the Slavic language, it was necessary to make a translation of the Holy Scripture into the Slavic language; however, the alphabet capable of conveying Slavic speech did not exist at that moment.

Constantine set about creating the Slavic alphabet. Methodius, who also knew the Slavic language well, helped him in his work, since a lot of Slavs lived in Thessalonica (the city was considered half-Greek, half-Slavic). In 863, the Slavic alphabet was created (the Slavic alphabet existed in two versions: the Glagolitic alphabet - from the verb - “speech” and the Cyrillic alphabet; scientists still do not have a consensus which of these two options was created by Cyril). With the help of Methodius, a number of liturgical books were translated from Greek into Slavonic. The Slavs got the opportunity to read and write in their own language. The Slavs not only had their own, Slavic, alphabet, but also the first Slavic literary language was born, many of whose words still live in Bulgarian, Russian, Ukrainian and other Slavic languages.

The mystery of the Slavic alphabet
The Old Slavonic alphabet got its name from a combination of two letters "az" and "beeches", which denoted the first letters of the alphabet A and B. The most interesting fact is that the ancient Slavic alphabet was a graffiti, i.e. graffiti scrawled on the walls. The first Old Slavonic letters appeared on the walls of churches in Pereslavl around the 9th century. And by the 11th century, ancient graffiti appeared in St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. It was on these walls that the letters of the alphabet were indicated in several styles, and below was the interpretation of the letter-word.
In 1574 there was major event, which contributed to a new round of development of Slavic writing. The first printed ABC appeared in Lvov, which was seen by Ivan Fedorov, the man who printed it.

ABC structure
If you look back, you will see that Cyril and Methodius created not just an alphabet, they opened a new path for the Slavic people, leading to the perfection of man on earth and the triumph of a new faith. If you look at historical events, the difference between which is only 125 years, you will understand that in fact the path of establishing Christianity in our land is directly related to the creation of the Slavic alphabet. Indeed, literally in one century, the Slavic people eradicated archaic cults and adopted a new faith. The connection between the creation of the Cyrillic alphabet and the adoption of Christianity today is beyond doubt. The Cyrillic alphabet was created in 863, and already in 988, Prince Vladimir officially announced the introduction of Christianity and the overthrow of primitive cults.

Studying the Old Slavonic alphabet, many scientists come to the conclusion that in fact the first "ABC" is a cryptography that has a deep religious and philosophical meaning, and most importantly, that it is built in such a way that it is a complex logical and mathematical organism. In addition, comparing many finds, the researchers came to the conclusion that the first Slavic alphabet was created as a holistic invention, and not as a creation that was created in parts by adding new letter forms. It is also interesting that most of the letters of the Old Slavonic alphabet are letters-numbers. Moreover, if you look at the entire alphabet, you will see that it can be conditionally divided into two parts, which are fundamentally different from each other. In this case, we will conditionally call the first half of the alphabet the “higher” part, and the second “lower”. The upper part includes letters from A to F, i.e. from “az” to “fert” and is a list of letter-words that carry a meaning understandable to the Slav. The lower part of the alphabet begins with the letter "sha" and ends with "izhitsa". The letters of the lower part of the Old Slavonic alphabet do not have a numerical value, unlike the letters of the higher part, and carry a negative connotation.

In order to understand the secret writing of the Slavic alphabet, it is necessary not only to skim through it, but to read each letter-word. After all, each letter-word contains a semantic core that Konstantin put into it.

Literal truth, the highest part of the alphabet
Az- this is the initial letter of the Slavic alphabet, which denotes the pronoun I. However, its root meaning is the word “originally”, “begin” or “beginning”, although in everyday life the Slavs most often used Az in the context of the pronoun. Nevertheless, in some Old Slavonic writings one can find Az, which meant “one”, for example, “I will go to Vladimir”. Or, “starting from the basics” meant “starting from the beginning.” Thus, with the beginning of the alphabet, the Slavs denoted the entire philosophical meaning of being, where without beginning there is no end, without darkness there is no light, and without good there is no evil. At the same time, the main emphasis in this is placed on the duality of the dispensation of the world. Actually, the alphabet itself is built on the principle of duality, where it is conditionally divided into two parts: the highest and the lowest, positive and negative, the part located at the beginning and the part that is at the end. In addition, do not forget that Az has a numerical value, which is expressed by the number 1. Among the ancient Slavs, the number 1 was the beginning of everything beautiful. Today, studying Slavic numerology, we can say that the Slavs, like other peoples, divided all numbers into even and odd. At the same time, odd numbers were the embodiment of everything positive, kind and bright. In turn, even numbers represented darkness and evil. At the same time, the unit was considered the beginning of all beginnings and was very revered by the Slavic tribes. From the point of view of erotic numerology, it is believed that 1 is a phallic symbol, from which procreation begins. This number has several synonyms: 1 is one, 1 is one, 1 is times.

Beeches(Beeches) - the second letter-word in the alphabet. It has no digital meaning, but it has no less deep philosophical meaning than Az. Beeches - means "to be", "will be" was most often used in turnovers in the future form. For example, “bodie” means “let it be”, and “bowdo”, as you probably already guessed, means “future, upcoming”. In this word, our ancestors expressed the future as an inevitability that could be both good and rosy, or gloomy and terrible. It is still not known for certain why Bukam Constantine did not give a numerical value, but many scholars suggest that this is due to the duality of this letter. Indeed, by and large, it denotes the future, which each person imagines for himself in a rainbow light, but on the other hand, this word also denotes the inevitability of punishment for committed low deeds.

Lead- the most interesting letter of the Old Slavonic alphabet, which has a numerical value of 2. This letter has several meanings: to know, to know and to own. When Constantine put this meaning into Vedi, he meant secret knowledge, knowledge as the highest divine gift. If you add Az, Buki and Vedi into one phrase, you will get a phrase that means "I will know!". Thus, Constantine showed that a person who discovered the alphabet created by him would subsequently have some kind of knowledge. No less important is the numerical load of this letter. After all, 2 - two, two, a couple were not just numbers among the Slavs, they took an active part in magical rituals and in general were symbols of the duality of everything earthly and heavenly. The number 2 among the Slavs meant the unity of heaven and earth, the duality of human nature, good and evil, etc. In a word, the deuce was a symbol of the confrontation between the two sides, heavenly and earthly balance. Moreover, it is worth noting that the Slavs considered the two to be a devilish number and attributed to it a lot of negative properties, believing that it was the two that opened the number series. negative numbers that bring death to a person. That is why the birth of twins in Old Slavic families was considered a bad sign, which brought illness and misfortune to the family. In addition, among the Slavs, it was considered a bad sign to rock the cradle together, two people to dry themselves with one towel and generally perform any action together. Despite such a negative attitude towards the number 2, the Slavs recognized it magical power. So, for example, many rituals of exorcism were carried out with the help of two identical objects or with the participation of twins.

Having considered the upper part of the alphabet, one can state the fact that it is a secret message of Constantine to the descendants. "Where is it seen?" - you ask. And now you try to read all the letters, knowing their true meaning. If you take several subsequent letters, then phrases-edifications are added:
Lead + The verb means "lead the teaching";
Rtsy + Word + Firmly can be understood as the phrase "speak the true word";
Firmly + Ouk can be interpreted as "strengthen the law."
If you look closely at other letters, you can also find the secret script that Constantine the Philosopher left behind.
Have you ever wondered why the letters in the alphabet are in this order, and not some other? The order of the "higher" part of the Cyrillic letters can be considered from two positions.
Firstly, the fact that each letter-word is formed into a meaningful phrase with the next one may mean a non-random pattern that was invented to quickly memorize the alphabet.
Secondly, the Old Slavonic alphabet can be considered from the point of view of numbering. That is, each letter is also a number. Moreover, all letters-numbers are arranged in ascending order. So, the letter A - “az” corresponds to one, B - 2, G - 3, D - 4, E - 5, and so on up to ten. The letter K begins with tens, which are listed here in the same way as units: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 70, 80 and 100.

In addition, many scientists have noticed that the outlines of the letters of the "higher" part of the alphabet are graphically simple, beautiful and convenient. They perfectly suited cursive writing, and the person did not experience any difficulties in depicting these letters. And many philosophers see in the numerical arrangement of the alphabet the principle of the triad and spiritual harmony, which a person achieves, striving for goodness, light and truth.
Having studied the alphabet from the very beginning, we can come to the conclusion that Constantine left his descendants the main value - a creation that encourages us to strive for self-improvement, learning, wisdom and love, remembering the dark paths of malice, envy and enmity.

Now, opening the alphabet, you will know that the creation that came into being thanks to the efforts of Constantine the Philosopher is not just a list of letters that begin words that express our fear and indignation, love and tenderness, respect and delight.

Introduction

slavic writing enlightener antique

Since childhood, we get used to the letters of our Russian alphabet and rarely think about when and how our writing arose. The creation of the Slavic alphabet is a special milestone in the history of every nation, in the history of its culture. In the depths of millennia and centuries, the names of the creators of the writing of a particular people or language family are usually lost. But the Slavic alphabet has an absolutely amazing origin. Thanks to a number of historical testimonies, we know about the beginning of the Slavic alphabet and about its creators - Saints Cyril and Methodius.

Language and writing are perhaps the most important cultural factors. If the people are deprived of the right or opportunity to speak mother tongue, then this will be the heaviest blow to his native culture. If a person is deprived of books in his native language, then he will lose the most important treasures of his culture. An adult, for example, being abroad, probably will not forget his native language. But his children and grandchildren will have great difficulties in mastering the language of their parents and their people. The Russian emigration of the 20th century, based on their hard experience, to the question “What place do the native language and native literature occupy in the national culture?” gives a very unambiguous answer: "Paramount!".

Creation of the Slavic alphabet

The contemporaries and students of the first teachers of the Slavs compiled their lives in Church Slavonic. These biographies have been tested for authenticity for centuries, and to this day Slavists of all countries are recognized as the most important sources on the history of Slavic literature and culture. The best edition of the oldest lists of biographies of Cyril and Methodius, prepared jointly by Russian and Bulgarian scientists, was published in 1986. It contains lists of lives and laudatory words of Cyril and Methodius of the XII-XV centuries. The facsimile edition in this book of the most ancient lives of the Enlighteners of the Slavs gives it special significance. Facsimile - “accurately reproduced” (from Latin fac simile “do the same”). Reading the handwritten lives and words of praise to Cyril and Methodius, we penetrate deep into the centuries and approach the origins of the Slavic alphabet and culture.

In addition to hagiographic literature, the most interesting testimony of the ancient Bulgarian writer of the late 9th-early 10th century Chernorizet Khrabr, who wrote the first essay on the history of the creation of Slavic writing, has been preserved.

If you ask the Slavic literate people like this:

Who created the letters for you or translated the books,

Everyone knows that and, answering, they say:

Saint Constantine the Philosopher, named Cyril,

He created letters for us and translated books.

The birthplace of the brothers Constantine (that was the name of St. Cyril before he became a monk) and Methodius was the Macedonian region of Byzantium, namely the main city of the region - Thessaloniki, or in Slavic Solun. The father of the future enlighteners of the Slavic peoples belonged to the highest stratum of Byzantine society. Methodius was the eldest and Constantine the youngest of his seven sons. The year of birth of each of the brothers is not exactly known. Researchers attribute the birth year of Methodius to the second decade of the 9th century. Konstantin learned to read very early and surprised everyone with his ability to master other languages. He received a comprehensive education at the imperial court in Constantinople under the guidance of the best mentors in Byzantium, among whom stood out the future Patriarch Photius of Constantinople - a connoisseur of ancient culture, the creator of a unique bibliographic code known as the Myriobiblion - and Leo Grammatik - a man who surprising compatriots and foreigners with his deep learning, a connoisseur of mathematics, astronomy and mechanics.

In the Life of Constantine, his education is reported: “In three months he studied all the grammar and took up other sciences. Studied Homer, geometry, and from Leo and Photius studied dialectics and other philosophical teachings besides - rhetoric, arithmetic, astronomy, music and other Hellenic sciences. And so he studied all this, as no one else studied these sciences. The ancient heritage and all modern secular science were considered necessary by the teachers of Constantine. preliminary stage to the comprehension of the highest wisdom - Theology.

This also corresponded to the ancient church Christian scientific tradition: the famous fathers of the Church of the 4th century, Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian, before entering the church service, were educated in the best educational institutions Constantinople and Athens. Basil the Great even wrote a special instruction: "To young men, on how to benefit from pagan writings." “The Slavic alphabet taught by St. Cyril contributed not only to the development of an original Slavic culture, but also was an important factor development of young Slavic nations, their revival and liberation from the spiritual guardianship, turning into oppression, foreign neighbors. What Saints Cyril and Methodius did served as the foundation on which the beautiful building of the current Slavic culture was built, which has taken its place of honor in the world culture of mankind ”Metropolitan Nikodim (Rotov). From the speech “Equal to the Apostles”, delivered on the occasion of the 1100th anniversary of the death of St. Cyril. Hagiographic literature, which has preserved for us precious information about the life and scientific activities of the Thessalonica brothers, assigned to Constantine the name of Filos (i.e., “lover of wisdom”). In this regard, of particular interest is an episode from childhood, the future enlightener of the Slavs. As a seven-year-old boy, Konstantin had a dream that he told his father and mother. The stratig (head of the region), having gathered all the girls of Thessalonica, said to him: “Choose for yourself from among them, whoever you want, as a wife, to help (you) and your peer.” “But I,” Konstantin said, “having examined and examined them all, I saw one more beautiful than all, with a radiant face, adorned with golden necklaces and pearls and all beauty, her name was Sophia, that is, Wisdom, and her (I) chose." Having occupied the chair of philosophy at the Magnavra High School of Constantinople after completing the course of sciences, where he had previously studied himself, Constantine the Philosopher also performed the duties of the patriarchal librarian. And, in the "books of diligence," he more and more rose from bookish wisdom to the highest Wisdom, preparing for a great mission - the enlightenment of the Slavic peoples.

Epochal significance for the entire Slavic world was the embassy of Constantine to Moravia in 863. The Moravian prince Rostislav asked the Byzantine emperor Michael III to send preachers to him who knew the Slavic language: “Our land is baptized, but we do not have a teacher who would instruct and teach us, and who explained the holy books. For we know neither Greek nor Latin; some teach us in this way, and others in another way, because of this we do not know either the outline of the letters or their meaning. And send us teachers who can talk about book words and about their meaning.

“To teach without the alphabet and without books is like writing a conversation on the water,” Constantine the Philosopher answered Emperor Michael when he invited him to go on an educational mission to the Moravian Christians. Konstantin the Philosopher compiled the alphabet for the Slavs and, together with his brother, translated the first texts from the Gospel and the Psalter. Thus, the year 863 in the history of Slavic culture is marked as the year of the creation of the Slavic alphabet, which marked the beginning of Slavic enlightenment. The Gospel of John stands out from among all biblical books with an abundance of religious and philosophical concepts and categories. Through the Church Slavonic translation of this Gospel, made by Cyril and Methodius, many philosophical (ontological, epistemological, aesthetic, ethical) and other terms entered the Slavic language and everyday life of Slavic philosophy: “light”, “enlightenment”, “truth”, “man”, "grace", "life" ("belly"), "peace", "testimony", "power", "darkness", "fullness", "knowledge", "faith", "glory", "eternity" and many other. Most of these terms are firmly entrenched in the language and literature of the Slavic peoples.

The creation of Slavic writing was not only the invention of the alphabet with all the signs characteristic of the written expression of speech, and the creation of terminology. Colossal work was also done to create a new toolkit for Slavic writing. The books that Cyril and Methodius translated from Greek and wrote in Slavonic contained examples of a whole range of literary genres. For example, biblical texts included historical and biographical genres, monologues and dialogues, as well as samples of the most exquisite poetry. The liturgical Slavic texts that came out from the pen of the first teachers were mostly intended for chanting or even for choral performance, and thereby served to develop the musical culture of the Slavs. The first translations of patristic texts (creations of the Holy Fathers) into Slavonic included works of a philosophical nature. The very first ecclesiastical canonical Slavic collections contained translations of monuments of Byzantine legislation, that is, they laid the foundation for the legal literature of the Slavs.

Everyone literary genre has its own characteristics and requires its own verbal forms and visual means. Create a full-fledged toolkit for Slavic writing, which, on the one hand, would preserve natural beauty of the Slavic language, and on the other hand, conveyed all the literary virtues and subtleties of the Greek originals - this is truly a task for several generations. But historical sources testify that this huge philological work was done by the Thessalonica brothers and their direct students in an amazingly short time. This is all the more surprising because the Orthodox missionaries Cyril and Methodius, although they had an excellent knowledge of the Slavic dialect, had neither scientific grammar, nor dictionaries, nor samples of highly artistic Slavic writing.

Here is what is said in one of the many reviews of modern scientists about the philological feat of Cyril and Methodius: “Unlike other methods of recording Slavic speech practiced in that era, the Slavic writing of Constantine-Cyril was a special complete system, created with careful consideration of the specific features of the Slavic language. Translations of works in which Constantine and Methodius tried to find an adequate expression for all the features of these monuments meant not just the emergence of the literary language of the medieval Slavs, but its addition immediately in those mature, developed forms that were developed in the Greek text of the originals as a result of centuries of literary development ".

Maybe someone before Cyril and Methodius made experiments on the creation of Slavic writing, but there are only hypotheses on this score. And numerous historical sources testify specifically to Cyril and Methodius as the creators of the Slavic alphabet, writing and bookishness. However, the history of the creation of Slavic writing has one very interesting riddle. In the 9th century, the Slavs appeared almost simultaneously two writing systems: one was called Glagolitic, and the other - Cyrillic. Which alphabet - Cyrillic or Glagolitic - was invented by Constantine the Philosopher? Many scholars tend to believe that the first Slavic alphabet was the Glagolitic alphabet. Others believe that Saint Cyril invented the Cyrillic alphabet. Perhaps the first teachers of the Slavs created both of these writing systems, but later the Cyrillic alphabet became the most widespread, which became the basis of the modern Russian alphabet. But no matter how later these questions are resolved by science, the evidence of historical sources about the brothers Cyril and Methodius as the creators of Slavic writing and book culture remains unchanged. The Orthodox mission of Cyril and Methodius also became a decisive factor in the formation of a common cultural space of the Slavic peoples. In the 19th century, the famous Russian archeographer, Archimandrite Leonid Kavelin, in the book depository of the Hilendar (Serbian) monastery on Mount Athos, found and published the manuscript “The Word of Our Teacher Konstantin the Philosopher.” In it, Konstantin the Philosopher addresses all Slavic peoples: the whole people ... Behold, all of us, brethren of Slovenia, contemplating, speak the light appropriately.

To whom was the word of the Enlighteners Cyril and Methodius addressed? To all the peoples of the Slavic world, which in the 9th century was not as divided linguistically as in subsequent centuries. From the Baltic Sea in the north to the Aegean Sea and the Adriatic in the south, from the Laba (Elbe) and the Alps in the west and to the Volga in the east, Slavic tribes settled, the names of which were conveyed by our "initial chronicle": Moravians, Czechs, Croats, Serbs, Horutans, Glade, Drevlyans, Mazovshans, Pomeranians, Dregovichi, Polochans, Buzhans, Volhynians, Novgorodians, Dulebs, Tivertsy, Radimichi, Vyatichi. All of them spoke the “Slovenian language” and all received enlightenment and native literature from their first teachers.

Constantine the Philosopher, having accepted monasticism with the name Cyril shortly before his death, died in 869. Methodius outlived his younger brother by 16 years. Before his death, Cyril bequeathed to his brother: “You and I, like two oxen, led the same furrow. I am exhausted, but don’t you think to leave the work of teaching and retire again to the mountain (to the monastery).” Saint Methodius fulfilled the order of his brother and until the end of his earthly life worked on the translation of the Bible, liturgical books and church-legal collections. Methodius died in 885, leaving behind many successors who knew and loved Church Slavonic books.

“Translating a Byzantine text into Russian is a grateful and joyful work, because the modern translator is energetically assisted by his ancient predecessors; the historical fate of the Russian language opened it up to Byzantium-specific opportunities to link and intertwine words. In English or French, the same text can only be retold, recklessly sacrificing its verbal fabric, and even German translation it is given to approach the true warehouse of the Hellenic ornate only at a respectful distance. The tradition of Russian culture embodied in the language is connected with the Byzantine heritage in a very tenacious, very real and concrete connection. We shouldn't forget about it."

The greatest merit of Cyril and Methodius to the Slavic world also consisted in the fact that they everywhere tried to leave their students - the successors of the cause of enlightenment of the Slavic peoples. Their disciples continued the Orthodox mission in Moravia and Panonnia, and through the next chain of successors, the Cyrillic and Methodian book traditions reached southern Poland, Slovenia, Croatia, and Bulgaria.

Cyril and Methodius Orthodox missionary tradition, in contrast to the Western Catholic one, was characterized by the fact that the oral preaching of the Gospel, church service and schooling- all this was done in the native language of those peoples to whom the followers of Cyril and Methodius brought Orthodoxy and Orthodox culture. Especially importance had the introduction of the Slavic language into worship, because at that time the liturgical language was at the same time the language of literature. With the Baptism of Russia, books in the Slavic language began to spread very quickly in the Russian land. “In The Tale of Bygone Years, which is attentive to all the events of Russian culture, there are no names or dates associated with Russian writing itself. And this is undoubtedly because Cyril and Methodius were, in the minds of the scribes of Russia, the true creators of a single written language for all the Eastern and Southern Slavs. The Russian “Legend about the transposition of books into Slavonic”, placed in the “Tale of Bygone Years”, begins with the words: “There is one language Slovene”. Further in this “Tale” it is said: “But the Slovene language and Russian are one,” and a little lower it repeats again: “... and the Slovene language is one””.

Currently, in Russian culture, the Church Slavonic language is most often recognized as the language of prayer and Orthodox worship. But its significance does not end there. “In general, the significance of the Church Slavonic language for Russian lies in the fact that it represents the entire history of the Russian language placed in one plane, for in Church Slavonic there are simultaneously functioning monuments dating back to the activities of the Slavic first teachers - St. Nestor, Metropolitan Hilarion, Cyril of Turov, St. Maxim Greek and beyond to the present day. M.V. wrote about the fateful significance of the Church Slavonic language and Church Slavonic writing for Russian culture in his “Foreword on the Usefulness of Church Books in the Russian Language”. Lomonosov: “The Russian language, in full strength, beauty and wealth, is not subject to change and decline, it will be established as long as the Russian Church is adorned with the praise of God in the Slovenian language.”

Russian Orthodox Church to this day, he sacredly preserves the Church Slavonic language as the language of his worship. Consequently, the Russian language, despite all the trials, is not in danger of decline. The high cultural bar supported by the Church Slavonic language will help preserve the beauty, richness and strength of the Russian language and native literature.

The alphabet of the Old Slavonic alphabet, like any other alphabet, was a system of certain signs, to which a certain sound was assigned. Formed Slavic alphabet on the territory of the peoples of Ancient Russia many centuries ago.

Events of the historical past

The year 862 went down in history as the year when the first official steps were taken in Russia to adopt Christianity. Prince Vsevolod sent ambassadors to the Byzantine emperor Michael, who were supposed to convey his request that the emperor send preachers of the Christian faith to Great Moravia. The need for preachers arose due to the fact that people themselves could not penetrate the essence of Christian teaching, because the Holy Scriptures were only in Latin.

In response to this request, two brothers were sent to the Russian lands: Cyril and Methodius. The first of them received the name Cyril a little later, when he took monastic vows. This choice has been carefully considered. The brothers were born in Thessalonica in the family of a military leader. The Greek version is Thessaloniki. The level of education for that time they had a very high. Konstantin (Cyril) was trained and brought up at the court of Emperor Michael the Third. He could speak several languages:

• Greek
• Arabic,
• Slavic
• Jewish.

For his ability to initiate others into the secrets of philosophy, he received the nickname Constantine the Philosopher.

Methodius began his activity with military service, tried himself as the ruler of one of the regions, which was inhabited by the Slavs. In 860, they made a trip to the Khazars, their goal was to spread the Christian faith and reach some agreements with these people.

History of written signs

Konstantin had to create written signs with the active help of his brother. After all, Holy Scripture was only in Latin. To convey this knowledge to a large number of people, the written version of the Holy Books in the language of the Slavs was simply necessary. As a result of their painstaking work the Slavic alphabet appeared in 863.

Two variants of the alphabet: Glagolitic and Cyrillic are ambiguous. Researchers argue about which of these two options belongs directly to Cyril, and which one appeared later.

After the creation of the written system, the brothers were engaged in translating the Bible into the language of the Slavs. The meaning of this alphabet is enormous. The people could not only speak their own language. But also to write, and to form the literary basis of the language. Some of the words of that time have come down to our time and function in Russian, Belarusian, Ukrainian languages.

Word symbols

The letters of the ancient alphabet had names that coincided with the words. The very word "alphabet" comes from the first letters of the alphabet: "az" and "beeches". They were the modern letters "A" and "B".

The first written symbols in the Slavic lands were scratched on the walls of the churches of Pereslavl in the form of pictures. It was in the 9th century. In the 11th century, this alphabet appeared in Kyiv, in St. Sophia Cathedral, where signs were interpreted, written translations were made.

A new stage in the formation of the alphabet is associated with the advent of printing. 1574 brought the first alphabet to the Russian lands, which was printed. It was called "Old Slavonic alphabet". The name of the person who released it entered the centuries - Ivan Fedorov.

The connection between the emergence of writing and the spread of Christianity

The Old Slavonic alphabet was more than a simple set of characters. Her presence made it possible a large number people to get acquainted with the Christian faith, to penetrate into its essence, to give it their heart. All scholars agree that without the appearance of writing, Christianity in the Russian lands would not have appeared so quickly. Between the creation of letters and the adoption of Christianity - 125 years, during which there was a huge leap in the self-consciousness of the people. From dense beliefs and customs, people came to faith in the One God. It was the Holy Books, which were distributed throughout the territory of Russia, and the ability to read them, that became the basis for the spread of Christian knowledge.

863 is the year of the creation of the alphabet, 988 is the date of the adoption of Christianity in Russia. This year, Prince Vladimir announced that a new faith was being introduced in the principality and a struggle began against all manifestations of polytheism.

The mystery of written symbols

Some scholars believe that the symbols of the Slavic alphabet are secret signs in which religious and philosophical knowledge is encrypted. Together they represent a complex system based on clear logic and mathematical relationships. There is an opinion that all the letters in this alphabet are an integral, inseparable system, which is why the alphabet was created as a system, and not as separate elements and signs.

The first such signs were something between numbers and letters. The Old Slavonic alphabet was based on the Greek uncial writing system. The Slavic Cyrillic alphabet consisted of 43 letters. The brothers took 24 letters from the Greek unique, and the remaining 19 were invented by themselves. The need to invent new sounds arose due to the fact that the Slavic language contained sounds that were not characteristic of Greek pronunciation. Accordingly, there were no such letters. Constantine either took these symbols from other systems or invented them himself.

"higher" and "lower" part

The whole system can be divided into two distinct parts. Conventionally, they received the names "higher" and "lower". The first part includes letters from "a" to "f" ("az" - "fet"). Each letter is a symbol-word. Such a name was completely focused on people, because these words were clear to everyone. The lower part went from "sha" to the letter "Izhitsa". These symbols were left without digital correspondence, were filled with negative connotations. “In order to penetrate the essence of the cryptography of these symbols, they need to be carefully studied, analyzed all the nuances. After all, in each of them lives the meaning laid down by the creator.

Researchers also find the meaning of the triad in these symbols. A person, comprehending this knowledge, must reach a higher level of spiritual perfection. Thus, the alphabet is the creation of Cyril and Methodius, leading to the self-improvement of people.