The Methodian mission on the Polish lands until the dawn of 11th century

Abstract

The process of Conversion of the Slavs was commenced with the contact of the Slavic people and the Byzantine culture which was initiated by the mission of Sts. Cyril and Methodius. Apart from the exceptional role of Bulgaria and Great Moravia in the development of the Cyrillo-Methodian legacy the Russian lands became the heir of this great religious and cultural tradition. Before we move on to the problem of the presence of the Methodian rite on the Polish lands it is worth recalling the basic facts of the activity of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in the area of Great Moravia.The presented influence of the Methodian rite on the Polish lands had a significant influence in the shaping of the religious tradition in the local Orthodox Church. In the land of the Piasts and Jagiellons the named tradition rooted in the cult of Bulgarian and Greek saints of the Church-Slavonic liturgy, rituals and culture. The awareness of the role of Cyril and Methodius in the introduction of Christianity in Poland shall be especially cultivated in the Eastern Church. The evangelization of the Great Moravia, Czech and Poland shall be attributed to the Slavonic Apostles.