After much deliberation and argument, those responsible for drawing up the new ‘constitution’ for the European Community have decided not to include any reference to Christianity or God. This is, of course, to ignore the salient cultural fact that has shaped the distinctive identity of Europe for the last two thousand years. The saints we celebrate today remind us of this. Cyril and Methodius spanned the gap between East and West. Born in the second decade of the ninth century in Greece, both were powerful missionaries in the areas we now know as Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, and the Czech republic. Cyril laid the foundation for the alphabet, Cyrillic, in which many Eastern European languages are written. Both enjoyed the support of the Pope in their efforts to bring the gospel to the people of these lands.

One of the factors advanced by those who wanted to obliterate any reference to Christianity in the new constitution was the harmful legacy of the Church - the Inquisition, religious wars, the treatment of minorities. But while we have to acknowledge our sinful past we must also point out and celebrate the blessings and richness that the faith has given to Europe. In this new millennium it’s obvious that we as a Church have to become missionaries again. Let Cyril and Methodius be our examples and guides as we strive to live the gospel in our own day. P.D.