25-26 February 2013 - The ITI Centre of Eastern Christian Studies (ECS) recently attended an International Congress in Rome entitled: “Sts. Cyril and Methodius among the Slavic people: 1150 Years since the beginning of their Mission.”
The conference was co-hosted by the Pontifical Oriental Institute and the Pontifical Gregorian University, from 25-26 February 2013. The Congress opened with a Pontifical Divine Liturgy celebrated in Pauline Chapel of St. Mary Major Basilica. This chapel holds what historically has been the most important Marian Icon in Rome, the famous Byzantine Icon of the Madonna and Child, Salus Populi Romani (Protectress of the Roman People), reputed to date back to Early Christian times. Eminent speakers from Greece, Slovakia, Italy, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Germany explored the Congress’s theme under a variety of aspects. The missionary work of the two holy brothers from Thessalonica, and their role and influence in the spread of the Gospel among the Slavic people, were considered from an historical, ecclesiological, liturgical and cultural perspective. The International Congress concluded with a lively round-table discussion.