July 4 — Saints Cyril and Methodius

cients, he was summoned to Borne, where in presence of John, several bishops, and likewise the clergy of the City, he easily defended himself as to his having ever constantly maintained and carefully taught unto others the Catholic faith ; but as to his having introduced the Sclavonic tongue into the Sacred Liturgy, he exculpated himself by reason of the permission of Pope Adrian, and of certain motives not contrary to the sacred Letters. Wherefore, embracing the cause of Methodius, in the matter at issue, the Pope recognised his archiepiscopal power and his Sclavoman expedition, giving him likewise Xettersthereunto appertaining. Hence Methodius being returned into Moravia persevered in fulfilling still more vigilantly the duties of his charge, and for this even gladly suffered exile. He brought over the prince of Bohemia and his wife, to the Faith, and spread the Christian name throughout the length and breadth of this land. He carried the light of the Gospel into Poland, and, as some writers assert, founded the episcopal See of Leopole ; and having gone as far as Muscovy, properly so called, there raised an episcopal throne at Kieff . Afterwards, returning to his own people in Moravia, feeling now that he was drawing near his mortal term, he designated a successor, and having, by his last precepts, ex- jussus, coram Joanne, et episcopis aliquot cleroque urbano, facile vicit catholicam prorsus fidem et se retinuisse constanter, et c»teros diligenter edocuisse: quod vero ad linguam Slavonicam in sacris peragendis usurpatam, se certis de causis ex venia Adriani Pontificis, nec sacris Litteris repugnantibus, jure fecisse. Quapropter in re praesenti complexus Methodium Pontifex, potestatem ejus archiepiscopalem, expeditionemque Slavonicam, datis etiam litteris, ratam esse jussit. Quare Methodius in Moraviam reversus assignation sibi munus explore vigilantius perseveravit, pro quo et exsilium libenter passus est. Bohemorum principemej usque uxorem ad fidem perduxit, et in ea gente chnstianum nomen longe lateque vulgavit. Evangelii lumen in Poloniam invexit, et, ut nonnulli scriptores tradunt sede episcopali Leopoli fundata, in Mo8Coviam proprii nominis digressus, thronum pontificalem Kiowensem constituit. Demum in Mora viam reversus est ad suos ; jamque sese abripi ad humanum exitum sentiens, ipsemet sibi successorem designavit, clerumque et populum supremis prseceptis ad virtutem cohortatus, ea vita, quae sibi via in coelum fuit, placidissime defunct us est. Uti Cyrillum Roma,

TIME AFTER PENTECOST. sic Methodium Moravia decedentem summo honore prosecuta est. Illorum vero festum, quod apud Slavonise populos jamdm celebrari consueverat, Leo Decimustertius Pontifex Maximus cum officio ac Missa propria in universa Ecclesia quotannis agi praecepit. horted the clergy and people to virtue, he peacefully passed away from this life which he had made to be his path to heaven. Even as Borne had paid homage to Cyril, so did Moravia lavish honours on Methodius when dead. Their feast which had been long accustomed to be kept among the Sclavonic people, Pope Leo XIII. ordered to be celebrated yearly, throughout the universal Cnurch with a proper Mass and Office.

Whilst inscribing the feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius on the calendar of the universal Church, the sovereign pontiff Leo XIII, was likewise pleased himself to give expression to the homage and prayers of holy Church, in the two Hymns proper to the day.

Hymn I.

Sedibus coeli nitidis receptos

Dicite athletas geminos, fideles ;

Slavicae duplex columen, decusque Dicite gentis. Hos amor fratres sociavit unus,

Unaque abduxit pietas eremo,

Ferre quo multis celerent beatse

Pignora vitse. Luce, quae templis superis renidet, Bulgaros compleut, Moravos, Bohemos ;

Sing, 0 ye Faithful, sing two Athletes, Brothers, received unto their brilliant thrones celestial; sing the two-fold strength and glory of the Sclavonic race.

One Love these Brethren did together bind in union sweet, and one the tender pity that did them from their solitude urge forth ; they haste to bear to many, the pledge of blessed Life.

Bulgarians, Moravians, and Bohemians they fill with Light, that beams resplendent in supernal temples; to Peter, soon,

SS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS. these savage hordes they lead, a numerous throng.

Tour brow encircled by the well earned crown of merits, Oh ! do ye still continue to be ever moved by suppliants' tears ; needful indeed it is that ye protect your former gifts bestowed upon the Sclaves !

May the generous soil, that crieth unto you, preserve the pure brightness of eternal Eaith : Rome which first, in the beginning gave, will ever give salvation to that land.

0 Creator and Eedeemer of the human race, who in thy goodness, givest us all good things, to thee, be thanksgiving, to thee, be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Mox feras turmas numerosa Petro Agmina ducunt. Debitam cincti meritis coronam,

Pergite o flecti lacrymis pre- cantum ; Prisca vos Slavis opus est datores

Dona tueri. Quseque vos clamat gene- rosa tellus Servet aetornae fidei nitorem ; Quae dedit princeps, dabit ipsa semper

Roma salutem. Gentis humanae Sator et

Redemptor, Qui bonus nobis bona cuncta praebes, Sint tibi grates, tibi sit per omne

Gloria saeclum. Amen.

Hymn II.

0 Light all beauteous of the Lux o decora patriae,

Fatherland, and of the Sola- Slavisque arnica gentibus, vonic race benignant Ray, — Salvete, fratres : annuo

Brethren, all hail ! To you, our Vos efferemus cantico ; yearly canticle we bring ;

Quos Roma plaudens excipit, Complexa mater filios, Auget corona praesulum, firmat robore.

Whom Rome applauding, did receive, as Mother pressing to her heart, loved sons, — she upon your brow, the Bishop's diadem doth place, and gird- Novoquo eth with new strength !

Ye penetrate to furthest bar- Terras ad usque barbaras barous lands, to bring them Inferre Christum pergitis :

Christ. Where error vain did Quot vanus error luserat, darkly play, ye there pour in Almo repletis lumine. the radiance of fair light.

On hearts unshackled from Noxis soluta pectora the grasp of ill, doth heavenly Ardor supernus abripit ; ardour seize ; thorns' horrid Mutatur horror veprium

TIME AFTER PBNTBCOST.

In sanctitatis flosculos.

Et nunc serena coelitum Locati in aula, supplici Adeste voto : Slavicas Serrate gentes Numini.

Errore mersos unicum Ovile Ohristi congreget ; Factis avitis aemula Fides virescat pulchrior.

Tu nos, beata Trinitas, Coelesti amore concita, Patrumque natos inclyta Da persequi vestigia.

Amen. aspect now is changed for flowers of holiness.

Then deign, O ye who reign secure in courts celestial, to turn unto our suppliant prayer: Preserve unto God the Sclavonic people.

May the one Fold of Christ inclose those in error plunged : emanating the deeds of their forefathers, may faith revive more beauteous still.

0 Thou, Most Blessed Trinity, spur us on, by heavenly Love, and grant that the sons may follow in the noble footprints of their sires ! Amen.

We presume to join our humble prayer with this august homage : we would fain, together with the Supreme Pontiff, sing your praises, and recommend to you that vast portion of Christ's inheritance, wherein, watered by your toilsome sweat, flowers of holiness replaced the thorns. Prepared in solitude for every work good and serviceable to the Lord, you feared not to be the first to set foot in these unknown regions, the terror of the ancient world, these lands of the North, wherein the prophets had pointed out Satan's throne, the inexhaustible source of evils ravaging the universe ! 3 The call of the Holy Ghost made you to become apostles, and the Twelve having received orders to teach all nations, you in your turn went, with all the simplicity of obedience, to those that had not yet been evangelised. This obedience, of yours, Rome would test, — such was her duty, — and she found it to be without alloy. Satan too found it so, to his utter defeat; for Scripture says: "The obedient man shall speak of victory."5

1 2 Tim. ii. 21. 3 Jerem. i. 14 ; xlvii. 2 ; etc.

1 Is. xiv. 13. * S Matth. xxviii. 19. 5 Pro v. xxi. 28.

Soripture likewise reveals to us another source of

" his brother, is like a strong city ; and their judgements are like the bars of cities."1 Driven away by one stronger than he, the strong-armed one beheld, with bitter rage, that dominion now passed on to Christ, which he thought to possess in peace, and his last spoils, the people of the North, to become, like those of the South, an ornament to the Bride.

0 Methodius, 0 Cyril, in the holy hymns which the Sovereign Pontiff has dedicated to you, there is the ring of an alarm-cry : " Preserve unto God the "Sclavonic people ! Needful indeed it is, that ye pro- "teot your former gifts." Lift up your eyes and see, may we truly say with the Prophet, you that come from the North ; where is the flock that was given you, your beautiful cattle ? What ! have ye taught them against you and instructed them against your own head? Ah ! the depths of Satan f but too well has he known how to repair his defeat ; for your very benefits and Peter's condescension have alike become a weapon of death for those people to whom you devoted your life ! Be pleased then to console those exiled for the Faith, and give them heart ; sustain the martyrs, preserve the remnant of a nation of heroes. On the other hand, deter the rest from the fatal illusion that would entice them to be beforehand in running into tyranny's way !

0 Apostles of the Sclaves, and citizens likewise of that Eome where your sacred relics lie close to those of St. Clement, assist the efforts of the Supreme Pontiff, who is seeking how he may replace on the foundation whereon you built it, that edifice which was yours : "A brother helped by was your glory !