Without Ss. Cyril and Methodius, I might not be Catholic. My ancestors came from the same areas, including Moravia, where the two "equal to the Apostles" preachers, philosophers, translators, missionaries came. The first ancestor to come to America, to Iowa, on the Czech side, was my great uncle, a missionary priest. Like Ss. Cyril and Methodius, the priest brought the Gospel and Sacraments to the far regions. Several key events of the Apostles of the Slavs in their missionary work was the creation and translation of the Bible, using the Cyrilic alphabet, named after St. Cyril, as well as the translation of the Mass of St. John Chysostrom into that Slavic language; in addition, many more Moravians, Bohemians, and others became Catholic because of the baptizing of Prince Borovoi and Princess Ludmilla. My grandmother's name was Ludmilla and I had a great-uncle Methodius. I pray for all the Czech people today, and especially for my old friend, Filip. From the Eastern rite prayer of the feast, which is on a different day, here is a chant:
Apolytikion of Sts. Cyril and Methodios in the Fourth Tone
Cyril and Methodius, inspired by God, you became Equals-to-the-Apostles by your life. As you were teachers of the Slavs, intercede with the Master of all, that He may strengthen all peoples in the true faith; that He may grant peace to the world and great mercy to our souls!
And, as I use the Monastic Diurnal and the 1962 Missal, Happy St. Valentine's Day to all as well.