The Russians' Secret: What Christians Today Would ... - GOD'S WORD

Such events—murders, treachery, and acts of revenge—took place only toofrequently among Slavs and Norsemen (Varangians) who lived along both sides ofthe broad Dnepr. 1 But far to the south, in Greek Thessalonika, a series of eventshad begun that would change Russia forever.CyrilLong before Prince Vladimir with his seven wives and wooden idols overcame hisbrother and made himself ruler of Russia in Kiev, a young man in Thessalonikaovercame himself and decided not to rule, but to serve Christ. His name was Cyril.He spoke Greek. Like other Christians in Thessalonika Cyril kept to the way ofChrist even though many had grown careless and worldly. He prepared to serveChrist by studying at the Imperial University at Constantinople.In the capitol of the Byzantine Empire—a glorious city where the Emperor, thePatriarch of the Orthodox Church, numberless merchants, prelates, and militaryofficials lived in splendour—Cyril felt tiny but not lost. He studied to graduate assoon as possible and gained a commission to travel on official business to Arabicand Khazar 2 tribes in the east.During his stay with the Khazars, to whom he told stories from the Bible, Cyrillearned all he could about wide steppes and forested lands to the north. He learnedabout other tribes—Russian Slavs among them—who lived in settled villages,who farmed and raised fruits, but who served wooden idols. After he came toknow some of them Cyril sensed what Christ wanted him to do.Back in Constantinople Cyril learned that Ratislav, a leader of a Slavic tribe northof the Danube River had called for Christian teachers. With his brother Methodiushe set out in 863 A. D. to answer that call.Up the rivers and through the forested wilderness where Ratislav’s people lived(in what is now the Czech Republic) Cyril and Methodius worked their way,3learning Slavonic while teach­ing Christ. From the beginning Cyril determined toteach the Slavs what Christ himself taught. But a serious obstacle stood in theway. Very few Slavs could read and write. Those who could, used a disorderlycollection of letters to portray Slavonic sounds. Cyril purposed at once to teachthem a better way.