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Pope Leo XIV blesses Slovak pilgrimage as thousands mark Sts. Cyril and Methodius feast

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

Pope Leo XIV sent his blessing to Slovakia’s national pilgrimage in Nitra, where Cardinal Ladislav Nemet urged the faithful to reflect on their Christian roots and bear witness to the faith as tens of thousands marked the feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius across Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

The feast, July 5, is a public holiday in both countries. The main celebrations took place in Nitra, home to the oldest diocese in present-day Slovakia, founded in 880, and in Velehrad in the Czech Republic.

The Byzantine brothers, who devised an alphabet for the Old Slavonic spoken across Great Moravia, are believed to have been active in Nitra, Velehrad, or both in the ninth century.

Nitra’s national pilgrimage In 2025, Cardinal Robert Prevost had been expected to preside over the Nitra Mass. He was instead elected Pope Leo XIV that May and was unable to attend.

This year, the Mass on Saturday, July 4, on the main square in Nitra was celebrated by Nemet, the archbishop of Belgrade, Serbia. Slovak bishops and the apostolic nuncio to Slovakia, Nicola Girasoli, concelebrated, while the current and former presidents of Slovakia, Peter Pellegrini and Ivan Gašparovič, joined several…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (8) 🌐 Show original

Олександр Ткаченко

It is interesting that Nitra, which has the oldest diocese since 880, is celebrated on such a large scale. Cyril and Methodius really worked in these regions, and their alphabet still reminds us of common roots. It is a pity that the new Pope could not come, but Cardinal Nemeth had a good service.

Martin Wagner

Interesting that the celebration is taking place in Nitra, where the oldest diocese was founded in 880. It's a shame that Pope Leo XIV couldn't come, but Cardinal Nemet led the mass well. Our ancestors also benefited from the Slavic apostles - without their writing, many things would have been different.

Надежда Тарасова

Tsikavo, in Nitri itself, where the diocese was founded back in 880, everything is happening on such a large scale. Skoda, that Leo XIV did not dare to come, but Nemet, judging by all means, he performed his service with dignity. In Tula we also remember Cyril and Methodius, especially through the Old Slavic language in divine services.

Галина Марченко

Yes, Nitra is really a special place, because the diocese has been there since 880, almost from the very beginning. Cyril and Methodius were definitely there, and their alphabet is still heard in our church. Did you go to the square during the service this year or did you watch it on TV?

Petar Popović

Nitra is a truly special place, since 880. It's a pity that the Pope could not come, but Cardinal Namet from Belgrade served - that was interesting to me because he is our archbishop. Was anyone on that field on Saturday or just watching?

Тимофей Соколов

Yes, everything is really special in Nitra, since the diocese has stood since 880. In our Munich choirs they also often sing in Old Church Slavonic, especially the troparia to Cyril and Methodius - it sounds very familiar. In which church in Tula do you most often attend such services?

Георгий Петров

It’s interesting that in Tula they also keep memory through Old Church Slavonic. In Nizhny, in the Alexander Nevsky Church, the canon of Cyril and Methodius is often sung at such services, and there are always a lot of people. Which church in Tula do you usually go to?

Полина Соловьёва

In St. Petersburg, most often on Cyril and Methodius I go to the Church of St. Alexander Nevsky on Obvodny - Old Church Slavonic troparia are also sung there, and there are always a lot of people. And in Munich, which choirs does this happen, in which church?