The “Apostles of Bulgaria”

(Ninth and Tenth Centuries)

Their story

+ The missionary brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius are credited with introducing the Christian Faith to the area that includes modern-Bulgaria.

+ Their work was continued by a series of holy bishops who are honored collectively as the “Apostles of Bulgaria.”

+ Among these “apostles” is Saint Clement of Ohrid who is credited with helping promote Slavic literature, culture, and liturgy and who translated numerous works into local languages for the benefit of his students, many of whom became bishops and priests.

+ The other “Apostles of Bulgaria” include Saints Angelario, Goazo, Nahum, and Sabas.

For prayer and reflection

“According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ.”—1 Corinthians 3:10-11

Spiritual bonus

On July 27, we also remember Saint Simeon “Stylites.” After becoming a monk at an early age, he later felt called to take on increasingly harsh (and bizarre) penances. He is best-known for the years he spent living atop a pillar, helping create the “Stylites” movement of hermits. Saint Simeon died around the year 459 and was honored as a saint immediately after his death.

Prayer

O Lord, who through the apostolic ministry of Saint Clement and the Apostles of Bulgaria gave your Church the beginnings of religion, look on her with kindness and grant her, we pray, through their intercession, constant increase in Christian devotion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Common of Pastors—For Several Founders of Churches)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.