The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Friday promoted the Slavonic Literature Day, marked on May 24.
The date, dedicated to the memory of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, who devised the Glagolitic alphabet to translate the Bible and other Christian writings into the Old Church Slavonic language, has been marked in Russia since 1991.
"The Slavonic Literature and Culture Day should be made one of the people's favorite festivals. A number of landmark nationwide festive events should be held on May 24," Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia said at a meeting of the festival organizing committee.
Kirill said the event is very important for the youth, and said foreign state officials could be invited to celebrate the day.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at the meeting that events on the festival's agenda, due from May 18 to 31, should not just be held once and forgotten.
"The exhibitions, conferences, meetings should comprehensively reflect the meaning and informative contents of the festival. They should not be held once but should retain succession and be designed to continue," Putin said.
The premier said numerous guests from Russia and other countries will arrive in Moscow for the celebrations.
"The festival should also be held in all other regions," Putin said, adding that young people should be involved.
MOSCOW, May 20 (RIA Novosti)
