In a solemn gathering held at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria delivered a keynote address marking the Day of Saints Cyril and Methodius — revered apostles to the Slavs and creators of the Slavic script. This day, celebrated annually on May 24, is a national holiday in Bulgaria honoring the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Slavic world.

The ceremony brought together prominent figures from Bulgaria's academic, religious, and political spheres, including Minister of Education and Science Krasimir Valchev and the Academy's President, Evelina Slavcheva.

Opening the event, Slavcheva underscored Bulgaria's historical mission as a spiritual and cultural beacon in Southeast Europe. She reflected on the legacy of Orthodox faith and Christian virtues as foundational pillars of the region’s identity, and voiced concern over modern debates questioning the relevance of teaching subjects like “Virtues and Religion” in Bulgarian schools. “We must ask ourselves whether society is drifting away from its spiritual and cultural roots,” she said.

Minister Valchev emphasized that May 24 is not only a tribute to the holy brothers but also a recognition of the ongoing work of today’s scientists, educators, clergy, and cultural figures. He reaffirmed the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences as a symbol of the nation's intellectual and cultural development.

In his address, Patriarch Daniel focused on Saints Cyril and Methodius as living symbols of spiritual tradition whose legacy reshaped the cultural landscape of Europe. He recalled that their translation of the Gospel of John into the Slavic language marked the birth of Bulgarian literacy and education. Quoting the opening line of the Gospel — “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” — Patriarch Daniel emphasized the divine foundation of human identity: “The Word is not only the beginning of language, but of the human person, for man is made in the image and likeness of God.”

The Patriarch stressed that the saints' mission was not merely cultural, but deeply rooted in Christian truth. Their creation of the Slavic alphabet, he said, was a tool for spreading the Gospel. “They founded our enlightenment on the faith in the Word of God, in our Lord Jesus Christ,” he declared, warning that language devoid of spiritual content becomes hollow. He cited Saint Cyril’s words: “Without books, all nations are naked, for they have no weapons to resist the enemy of our souls.”

Turning to modern challenges, Patriarch Daniel cautioned against the societal consequences of abandoning spiritual values. “Blind devotion to progress without spiritual grounding leads to social collapse — the disintegration of family values, media manipulation, educational crises, corruption, and political strife,” he warned.

The event concluded with a renewed call for unity between faith, culture, and education in addressing the challenges of the modern world — echoing the enduring mission of Saints Cyril and Methodius: to enlighten through truth, and to build a society rooted in both knowledge and faith.