Two brothers, Sts. Cyril and Methodius, who are called the “Apostles of the Slavs” for their tireless work in spreading the Gospel throughout Eastern Europe in the ninth century.

Such was their influence in Church history, through their evangelization efforts, that the late Pope John Paul II named the two brothers the patron saints of Europe along with fifth century monastic leader St. Benedict.

Born into a prestigious senatorial family in Thessalonica, in 815 and 826 respectively, Sts. Cyril and Methodius renounced their wealth and status. They chose instead to become priests.