Circumstances at length favored her pious efforts, and she sent for Methodius of Thessalonica, a monk and a skilful painter.

He was afterwards joined by his older brother Constantine, or Cyrill, surnamed the Philosopher, on account of his learning.

Cyrill reduced the Slavonic language to writing, taught the barbarous nation the use of letters, and translated the Scriptures into that language.

In the year 861 he baptized king Bogoris.

The king undertook to force his people to change their religion and they revolted.