Life of Constantine the Philosopher (Cyril)
The Slavonic life of Constantine, who took the name Cyril on his deathbed. Written among his disciples, it is the main account of the mission to Moravia and of the making of the Slavonic letters.
The Life was written in Slavonic in the circle of Constantine’s brother Methodius and their pupils and tells the story from their side. It reports the embassy of Rastislav, the making of the letters, the disputes with Latin clergy over worship in Slavonic, the reception at Rome and Constantine’s death, which it dates to 14 February in the year 6377 from creation, that is AD 869.
It survives only in Church Slavonic copies made long after it was composed, and it is a saint’s life: the letters are revealed in answer to prayer and opponents are routed in debate. Its details can be checked against the papal letters in Letters (Register) and against Life of Methodius.
Cited in
- AD 863 to AD 885, estimated date