At UCM in Trnava, we commemorate the legacy of St. Cyril and Methodius, the apostles of the Slavic peoples.

The missionaries St. Cyril and Methodius represent one of the most important chapters in the history of the Slavs, and especially the Slovaks. Both came from Thessaloniki. Methodius, the older of the brothers, became an important civil servant. After some time, however, he grew tired of worldly affairs and withdrew to a monastery. Constantine became a scholar and professor, known as "the Philosopher."

At the request of Prince Rastislav, Constantine and Methodius, together with several companions, left their homeland in 863 to come to Great Moravia and spread Christianity and culture there. Before leaving on their mission, Constantine created an alphabet for the Slavs, which is now known as Glagolitic. It is considered the predecessor of Cyrillic, the alphabet named after St. Cyril.

Our university has borne the names of Cyril and Methodius since its founding in 1997. This holiday is therefore not only a remembrance of two important missionaries who brought the light of education and faith to the Slavic lands, but also a celebration of the values and commitment to education at our academic institution. UCM carries out its mission in the spirit of their cultural legacy, which is rooted in European civilization and Central European values.

"The holiday we are celebrating this Saturday is an important day not only for UCM, but for the whole of Slovakia. This day reminds us of the importance of education and culture," says Andrej Brník, Vice-Rector for Development and Public Relations.

The University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava is proud to uphold the heritage and legacy of these two figures, who contributed significantly to the formation of our national identity.