This public domain image comes from the Public Domain Bible Development Project, Images of Saints collection.

This painted images is of saints Cyril and Methodius. Born in the 9th century in Thessaloniki, Cyril and Methodius would become successful missionaries among the Slavic peoples of Great Moravia and Pannonia.

One notable accomplishment derived from their mission among the Slavs was their devising the Glagolitic and Cyrillic alphabets. These were the first alphabets used to translate many Slavonic manuscripts, and they were also used in the translation of portions of the gospels (which were not commonly found in the vernacular at the time). These alphabets are used in many regions to this day.

This image shows Cyril and Methodius standing beside a cross, looking to the sky. The painter used the appearance of light to create a stained glass window effect.

This image is available through the Public Domain Bible Development Project, Images of Saints collection, and is therefore in the public domain.

2.77 MB JPG. Hosted at Ars Publik.

1. John
   03.12.10

   This is a very cool stained glass window image. I love the colors and textures. The appearance of heavenly light or rain is neat. I wonder whats the symbolism of the crown floating above the ground in front of the two men.

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2. Camilla Canning
   03.17.10

   This painting shows the Saints Cyril and Methodius in a stained glass type of setting. The two saints are flanking a large gold cross. Each saint is dressed in a long white robe accented in gold. The large gold cross is supported by a stout brown post, supported by Saint Cyril. There is a white and gold crown mid-way down picture. Saint Methodius hold a long white scroll in his hands and a gold pen which he has been making notations with on the scroll. In the back ground, we see a white church with a steeple and a pastoral landscape done in pastels. The sky that frames the saints is dotted with dark clouds, looking a bit ominous. Saint Cyril extends his hand in benediction and holds a steady gaze forward, while Saint Methodius extends his gaze towards the heavens. This painting immediately makes me think of being in church and looking up during the sermon at the stained glass windows and thinking of the stories behind them. You can see the the resolute expression on the saints faces and their dedication to their faith. The dark stormy sky paired with the pastoral background makes me aware of the dangerous position these men held in seemingly safe settings.

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3. Rick
   03.27.10

   I think saints Cyril and Methodius both are the godfather of their country,so that they are dressed like this.cyril does not have more hair in his head compare to Methodius.because cyril thinking more so that he loss his hair, and methodius think about cyrils dress.Because there is some designing work in that dress it looks very pretty and awesome.so Methodius want to wear the dress so he think something to get cyrils dress.Not only for his dress and also for his position.I think both are come for to steel the gold cross and put them in their church.They are very sure to steel the gold cross, that’s why both are coming in night time.Look at the back ground this is the right time to steel the gold cross.If they are not coming to steel the gold cross, ask them to come to morning.Both are look like a rich thief.Cyril and Methodius should wash their cloths.This appearance make them both are thieves.The cloths are very dirty, because their both fathers washed the clothes when they wearied after that they don’t do it again.so the clothes are like this I think there is two moon in that country watch behind their head.

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