Constantine of Preslav
Constantine of Preslav ( mid 9th - early 10th century ), or even Constantine Preslawski ( Bulgarian Константин Преславски ) is a medieval theologian, priest, compiler, translator, poet, author and scholar. Constantine of Preslav is one of the most important representatives of the school of Preslav and one of the most outstanding figures of the Bulgarian culture.
Life
About the life of Constantine of Preslav, there are few information. However, it is proven that he was a disciple of Cyril's brother Methodius. About how he came to Bulgaria However, there are several theories. One of these theories suspects that he supported the Saints Methodius in his mission in Great Moravia and after his death in 885 was forced to flee along with the other students in order to finally reach of Venice and Constantinople Opel to Bulgaria. Another theory assumes that Constantine fell Methods death in disgrace and then fell into slavery. During this he said to have been sold in Venice and was later bought the Byzantine Emperor in Constantinople Opel, only to get to Bulgaria. In contrast, other researchers support the thesis that he was left behind by Konstantin Method in Opel and only later came to Pliska to the court of the Bulgarian king Boris I Michael. After laying founded by Boris Academy of Pliska by his son Simeon I in the new capital Preslav Constantinople 893 was appointed Bishop of Preslav ( Bulg епископ; ancient Greek ἐπίσκοπος EPISKOPOS, overseers, guardians, protectors ').
Works
Constantine of Preslav is the author of many Old Bulgarian texts. The time, however, few have survived, handed down through later copies, the first of them since the 12-13 centuries, including:
Instructive Gospel
The most important work of Constantine of Preslav is instructive gospel ( Bulg Учително евангелие ), one of the highlights of the so-called Golden Age of Bulgarian culture, written in the period around 893-894 in Preslav.
In this work, Constantine is an instructive interpretation of the Gospel, consisting of 51 Sonntagshomilien for various church festivals, which are mainly based on the sermon speeches of John Chrysostom, on some quotes from Cyril of Alexandria, as well as their own sentences (for example, speech 42). The Instructive gospel consists of three parts: Guide to Prayer ( Bulg " Азбучна молитва "); Istorikii ( Bulg " Историкии ."; German Chronicle ); Church narrative ( Bulg " Църковно сказание ").
Despite the kompilativen character of this work is the gospel instructive, especially his preface - the Alphabetical prayer - of great importance for the Bulgarian literature and culture, as this in a Slavic language is the one the first systematic work (respectively in Bulgarian ). Secondly, the creation of Constantine is considered the oldest document that uses the Cyrillic. Because, despite the widespread opinion, which connects the Cyrillic with Russia, the alphabet was neither in Russia, nor is her inventor of Saints Constantine - Cyril, who famously invented the Glagolitic script. It is controversial whether one of his student Clement of Ohrid is the author of Cyrillic, or whether he reformed only the Glagolitic. As proved true, however, that the Cyrillic alphabet originated in the court of the Bulgarian kings in the 10th century in Preslav and first began to spread by Constantine of Preslav. Whether Constantine invented the new font, can not be clearly demonstrated.
The work is obtained by a Russian copy of the 12th century, now preserved in the State Historical Museum, Moscow.
Four speeches against the Arians
906 Constantine of Preslav translated the four speeches Athanasius against the Arians ( gr.λόγοι κατά Αρειανών; speeches against the Arians ) into Bulgarian. In his translation, it literally means that the translation successes on the orders of our prince Simeon in the year 6414 (906 AD). This time is firmly dated the work of Constantine and is also considered the only fixed point in his life.
Preface to the Gospel Book
With regard to the authorship of the work preface to the Gospel Book ( Bulg " Проглас към Евангелието " ) is divided into two parts research. Some researchers attribute the font Constantine of Preslav, others St. Constantine - Cyril. The " Preface to the Gospel Book " is content and compositionally the " Alphabetical prayer " very close. The document deals with, among others, the need to use their own language in the liturgy, instead of the incomprehensible for the ordinary people sacral Greek. The work is dated to the second half of the 9th century.
Other works
- Translation of the Historia Ecclesiastica work ( Bulg Черковно сказание; German church history. ) From the Byzantine Patriarch Germanos I of Constantinople Opel (* 650/660; ? † after 730)
- Offizium for Method ( bulg.Служба на Методий ), in the canon of the name Constantine is built in an acrostic.
- Cycle Stichera in solemn Minaion ( bulg.Цикъл стихири в празничен миней ); (gr. the Sticheron / Pl Stichera rhythm Byzantine hymns; Menaion - Orthodox liturgical month book), which refers to the preparation for Epiphany ( Theophany appearance of God ).
Honor
Today, the University of the nearby city of Shumen bear the name of Constantine Bishop Constantine Preslawski University of Shumen, and several education institutions throughout the country.