Naum
Naum of Ohrid was a medieval Bulgarian writer and missionary, considered one of the Seven Apostles of the First Bulgarian Empire. He was a disciple of Cyril and Methodius and played a key role in the development of Glagolitic and Cyrillic scripts. Naum is particularly remembered for his work at the Ohrid Literary School and as one of the first saints declared by the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
- Feast Day
- December 23
- Century
- 10th century
- Country Or Region
- Bulgaria
Key Facts
- ›Naum was among the disciples of Cyril and Methodius.
- ›He participated in the mission to Great Moravia in 863.
- ›Naum helped translate the Bible into Old Church Slavonic and promoted it.
- ›He was ordained a priest in Rome in 867 or 868.
- ›Naum was a founder of the Pliska Literary School and later worked at the Ohrid Literary School.
- ›He founded a monastery on the shores of Lake Ohrid in 905, which later bore his name.
Naum of Ohrid, Naum of Preslav, Свети Наум
About Naum
Naum of Ohrid
Naum of Ohrid, also known as Naum of Preslav, was a pivotal figure in the medieval history of the First Bulgarian Empire. Born around 830 and passing away on December 23, 910, he was a writer, missionary, and scholar who played a crucial role in the development of Slavic literacy and culture.
Early Life and Mission to Great Moravia
Information about Naum's early life is scarce, but it is believed he grew up in Moesia. He was among the disciples of the apostles Cyril and Methodius and participated in their historic mission to Great Moravia in 863. For over two decades, Naum worked alongside Cyril, Methodius, and other missionaries, dedicating himself to translating the Bible into Old Church Slavonic and promoting its use in Great Moravia and Lower Pannonia. During this period, he was ordained a priest in Rome in 867 or 868. The missionaries also developed the Glagolitic alphabet, the first script tailored to the Slavic language, which later led to the creation of the Cyrillic script.
Work in the First Bulgarian Empire
Facing increasing hostility from German clerics and after the deaths of their patrons, Naum, along with other missionaries like Clement of Ohrid, sought refuge in the First Bulgarian Empire in 886. Welcomed by Knyaz Boris, who sought to strengthen Bulgarian independence by adopting Old Church Slavonic, Naum became instrumental in establishing Bulgaria's literary and religious institutions. He was a founder of the Pliska Literary School, where he worked from 886 to 893. Following Simeon the Great's ascension to the throne, Naum was sent to Ohrid to continue the work of Clement of Ohrid at the Ohrid Literary School, another vital center of Slavic learning. During these years, the Cyrillic script was developed in the Preslav literary school, possibly with Naum's initiative. In 905, he founded a monastery on the shores of Lake Ohrid, which eventually bore his name.
Legacy and Veneration
Naum is considered one of the Seven Apostles of the First Bulgarian Empire and was among the first saints canonized by the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. His missionary work was vital in the transformation of the local Early Slavs into Bulgarians and the formation of a distinct Bulgarian identity. His cult is particularly revered in the region of Ohrid, spreading in the 18th century. His original feast day was December 23, later changed to June 20. A peak on Livingston Island in Antarctica is named in his honor.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Naum of Ohrid?
Naum of Ohrid was a medieval Bulgarian writer and missionary among the Slavs, considered one of the Seven Apostles of the First Bulgarian Empire. He was a disciple of Cyril and Methodius and is associated with the creation of the Glagolitic and Cyrillic scripts.
What was Naum's role in the creation of Slavic scripts?
Naum was among the disciples of Cyril and Methodius who devised the Glagolitic alphabet for the Slavic language. His work at the Preslav literary school is associated with the creation and adoption of the Cyrillic script in Bulgaria.
Where did Naum work as a missionary and scholar?
Naum worked with Cyril and Methodius in Great Moravia and Lower Pannonia for 22 years. After leaving Great Moravia, he moved to the First Bulgarian Empire, where he was a founder of the Pliska Literary School and later worked at the Ohrid Literary School.
When did Naum live and die?
Naum lived from approximately 830 to December 23, 910. He spent the last 25 years of his life in Bulgaria and died in the monastery he founded on the shores of Lake Ohrid.
When is Saint Naum's feast day?
Saint Naum's original feast day was December 23. In 1727, it was changed to June 20 by the authority of the Archbishop of Ohrid.
Related Saints
Ivo of Chartres
Ivo of Chartres was a French canon regular and abbot who served as the Bishop of Chartres from 1090 until his death in 1115. He was a significant authority in Catholic canon law during the Investiture Crisis and is remembered for his extensive canonical works and prolific correspondence, which emphasized moderation and charity. He is honored as a saint in the Catholic Church.
Clement of Ohrid
Saint Clement of Ohrid was a prominent disciple of Saints Cyril and Methodius and a key figure in the Christianization of the Slavs. He is renowned for his role in the popularization of the Glagolitic and Cyrillic scripts and for founding the Ohrid Literary School. Clement is considered the first bishop in the Bulgarian language and a patron of education and language among Slavic peoples.
Adelaide of Italy
Adelaide of Italy was a Holy Roman Empress and a significant political figure in 10th-century Europe. She is remembered for her role as a model for future consorts, her regency for her grandson Otto III, and her essential contributions to the consolidation of the Holy Roman Empire. Her life illustrates the potent influence women could wield in medieval politics.