Although many in the world celebrate St. Valentine, the Church celebrates the feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, the great apostles to the Slavs. When you study Church history a bit, it is very interesting to notice that these two brothers were very innovative, basically precursors to Vatican II in what concerns the use of the vernacular in the liturgies. They already accomplished this, with papal approval nonetheless, in the 9th century! I remember our history teacher telling us, "If there had been a few more Cyril and Methodius's around, maybe there never would have been the separation of the Eastern Church from the Western." That is certainly something upon which one can meditate. In his encyclical Ut Unum Sint, Pope JPII states that he named these 2 brothers as co-patrons of Europe (along with St. Benedict) to try to bring the East and West back together again, so that the Church can bring from its 2 lungs. Just last Friday (since I had already finished exams) I went to the crypt of St. Clement's here in Rome. That is where St. Cyril is buried! It is really remarkable because you can see the whole outline of the basilica (underneath the existing one) that was there from about the 10th or 11th century, plus going further down, one can see some ruins of 1st century Roman houses and streets!
Please keep me in your prayers as I begin this last semester. I will tons of reading to do this semester, so I imagine that my blogging will be very sporadic during this term. Even when I am unable to write anything here, know that I appreciate everyone's prayers and that I keep all of you in mine.
Happy St. Valentine's Day and Happy Sts. Cyril and Methodius Day!!!
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