From an old Slavonic life of Constantine
SAINTS CYRIL, MONK ,AND METHODIUS, BISHOP (827- 869)
Saint Cyril (also called Constantine) (827- 869) was born of a Greek noble family connected to the Senate of Thessalonica and was the brother of Saint Methodius. Their mother Maria may have been Slavic. Cyril became a monk, was ordained a priest and both brothers studied at the University of Constantinople. Cyril taught philosophy there and was a librarian at the church of Santa Sophia. In 861, both brothers were sent by the emperor to convert the Jewish Khazars of Russia, a mission that was successful and allowed him to learn the Khazar’s language. In 863 they were sent to convert the Moravians in their native Slavic tongue. Both Cyril and Methodius prepared Slavic liturgical texts in what would become known as the Cyrillic alphabet. After initial criticism for their use of it, they achieved approval of the Liturgy in the Slavonic language. Both brothers were summoned to Rome, where Cyril died on February 14, 869, while Methodius was consecrated bishop and went to Pannonia where he tirelessly preached the Gospel. Though suffering much from detractors, he received assistance from the Roman Pontiffs. Methodius died on April 6, 885 in Velehrad, Czechoslovakia.
From an Old Slavonic Life of Constantine
Build up your Church and gather all into unity.
Constantine, already burdened by many hardships, became ill. At one point during his extended illness, he experienced a vision of God and began to sing this verse: “My spirit rejoiced and my heart exulted because they told me we shall go into the house of the Lord.”
Afterward he remained dressed in the vestments that were to be venerated later, and rejoiced for an entire day saying: “From now on, I am not the servant of the emperor or any man on earth, but of almighty God alone. Before, I was dead, now I am alive and I shall live for ever. Amen.”
The following day, he assumed the monastic habit and took the religious name Cyril. He lived the life of a monk for fifty days.
When the time came for him to set out from this world to the peace of his heavenly homeland, he prayed to God with his hands outstretched and his eyes filled with tears: “O Lord, my God, you have created the choirs of angels and spiritual powers; you have stretched forth the heavens and established the earth, creating all that exists from nothing. You hear those who obey your will and keep your commands in holy fear. Hear my prayer and protect your faithful people, for you have established me as their unsuitable and unworthy servant.
“Keep them free from harm and the worldly cunning of those who blaspheme you. Build up your Church and gather all into unity. Make your people known for the unity and profession of their faith. Inspire the hearts of your people with your word and your teaching. You called us to preach the Gospel of your Christ and to encourage them to lives and works pleasing to you.
“I now return to you, your people, your gift to me. Direct them with your powerful right hand, and protect them under the shadow of your wings. May all praise and glorify your name, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Once he had exchanged the gift of peace with everyone, he said: “Blessed be God, who did not hand us over to our invisible enemy, but freed us from his snare and delivered us from perdition.” He then fell asleep in the Lord at the age of forty-two.
The Patriarch commanded all those in Rome, both the Greeks and Romans, to gather for his funeral. They were to celebrate his funeral as if he had been a pope. This they did.
Source: The Liturgy of the Hours, Office of Readings