INFORMATION ABOUT CYRIL AND METHODIUS IN RUSSIAN CHRONOLOGICAL WORKS

Abstract

The creation of the Slavic alphabet is one of the key events in Slavic history, which found a place in a number of Russian historical works from the Tale of Bygone Years to the Russian Chronograph. The story Legend of book offerings, based on Bulgarian hagiographic works, is widespread. The Tale of the Baptism of the Russians, included in several Russian chronicles, speaks of a philosopher overlapping with St. Cyril, who spoke with Prince Vladimir. In some editions of the Chronograph, the text On the Proposed Books appears, borrowed from the Life of St. Cyril in the Simple Prologue. Texts of the „sum of years“ type also note the christening of the Bulgarians and the creation of the Slavic alphabet. Cyril and Methodius are presented as Slavic first teachers and saints, and their work is significant for the whole Orthodox world. In earlier writings, the two brothers were named only by their names, while in later writings they were called saints and philosophers. Methodius stays out of the interest of writers, only in the Russian Chronograph his name is again placed on a par with that of Cyril.