Kirilli ja Methodiuse puha Ukrainas Bessaraabias ja Krimmis

The feast of Sts. Cyril and Methodius (May 11–24) and the life and work of the two brothers occupy a central place in the Bulgarian national paradigm. Their life and work are celebrated by all Slavic nations (with different accents and on different dates in the national/church calendars). The feast is celebrated among the Bulgarian Diaspora in Ukraine (the largest Bulgarian community outside Bulgarian boarders) and it also has a place in the official state calendar of the country. This paper deals with the celebrations of the feast in Bessarabia (Odessa) and Crimea (Sevastopol), Ukraine, among the Bulgarians and Ukrainians; the life stories of the two brothers; interpretations of their origin, works, and significance for the Slavic cultures of both communities (Bulgarians and Ukrainians). The analysis shows the dynamics of interpretations of the lives and work of the two saints in different national paradigms and state priorities.