The Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscow is celebrated every year on 24 May and honors Saints Cyril and Methodius, the brothers from Byzantium who, in the 9th century, created the first alphabet for the Slavs. It is both a church feast and a state observance, and it is not a day off.
In Moscow the day centers on the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, where a liturgy is held, and on the monument to the two saints on Slavyanskaya Square in Kitay-Gorod. Since 2010 a large concert has been held on Red Square in the Moscow program. The format varies by year, so check the official sources before you go.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | День славянской письменности и культуры в Москве |
|---|---|
| Type | Holiday / observance |
| When | Every year on 24 May, a fixed date, which is the church commemoration of Saints Cyril and Methodius. |
| Next occurrence | May 24 (same date every year) |
| Typical duration | One day, with a morning church service followed by public events and a concert later in the day. |
| Public holiday | No, an observance (regular working day) |
| Address | Slavyanskaya Square, with the monument to Saints Cyril and Methodius, Kitay-Gorod, Tverskoy District, Moscow OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Tverskoy |
| Metro | Kitay-Gorod (Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya Line (Line 6, orange) and Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya Line (Line 7, purple), The station lies right under the square; the exit and the walking time were not verified) |
| Admission | Visiting the monument and following the public events is free. Concerts and other events may set their own rules, and access to Red Square can be restricted on the day. |
| Best time to visit | The morning is best for the service and the procession at the monument, and the afternoon for the concert and street events. Late May weather is usually mild. Crowd patterns were not verified. |
| Last updated | October 7, 2026 |
Dates, programs and prices change from year to year. Always check the official website for the current edition.
Why Visit Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscow?
The holiday is a way to understand why the Russian script looks the way it does: the Cyrillic alphabet takes its name from Saint Cyril, and the story of the two brothers links Moscow to the Byzantine and Slavic world. A visitor can see the monument in an old part of the center, the church ritual in the morning and a public celebration of language and music.
It is also a day with a gentle, cultural tone, with readings, exhibitions and concerts instead of crowds of shoppers. Kitay-Gorod is easy to combine with a walk, and the Cyrillic guide on this site helps with the signs.
How Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscow Is Celebrated
The day begins with church services, among them a liturgy in memory of Saints Cyril and Methodius at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the country’s main cathedral. After the cathedral service a procession goes to the monument to the saints on Slavyanskaya Square, where a prayer service is held, according to one history of the holiday.
Public organizations hold concerts, exhibitions, readings, competitions and other events, and a large concert on Red Square, which opens in the afternoon with official speeches and runs long, has been an annual tradition since 2010. In earlier decades the celebrations were held each year in a different city, with exhibitions, lectures and literary meetings. The program changes every year.
Highlights of Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscow
The monument to Cyril and Methodius
The monument stands on Slavyanskaya Square in Kitay-Gorod and was opened on 24 May 1992. It is the place where the prayer service of the day is held and where flowers are laid. The Kitay-Gorod metro station lies right under the square, and the square completes the half-circle of central squares around the Kremlin. Look for the church of All Saints on the south side.
Tip: Come in the morning, when the service is held, and leave room for the crowd.
The liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
The country's main cathedral holds a liturgy in memory of the two saints in the morning, which the Patriarch has led, and a procession then goes to the monument. The cathedral is crowded, and entry is free but subject to checks. See the Orthodox Christmas and Orthodox Easter guides on this site for the cathedral.
Tip: Dress modestly and arrive early if you want to enter the cathedral.
The concert on Red Square
Since 2010 a large concert has been held on Red Square on 24 May, with a joint choir and well-known performers, and with official speeches at the start. The audience has been reported in the tens of thousands in some years. Access to Red Square is controlled on the day. See the Red Square guide on this site.
Tip: Check the current access rules to Red Square before you go.
Kitay-Gorod and its old churches
Slavyanskaya Square is at the edge of Kitay-Gorod, the old merchant quarter, with Varvarka Street running west toward the Kremlin. The Church of All Saints stands on the south side of the square. See the Kitay-Gorod guide on this site for the district.
Tip: Walk west along Varvarka Street to see the old churches on the way.
The alphabet itself
The brothers created the Slavic script to translate the Gospels and church books, and modern researchers believe that Cyril and Methodius created the Glagolitic alphabet, while the Cyrillic alphabet is credited to Cyril's student, Kliment of Ohrid. The origin is disputed, but the name Cyrillic is in daily use across Moscow's signs. See the Cyrillic guide on this site.
Tip: Use the day to learn a few letters from street signs and the metro map.
Readings, exhibitions and competitions
Public organizations, libraries and museums hold readings, exhibitions, presentations and competitions on the theme of language and the alphabet. The events and venues differ each year and are not listed here. Check the official city portal for the current list.
Tip: Look for free events in libraries and cultural centers on the city portal.
What It Means for Your Visit
24 May is not a public holiday, so offices, shops, museums and transport work as usual. The effects are local: the area around Slavyanskaya Square, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and Red Square is crowded on the day, with checks at the cathedral and possible restrictions around Red Square and its approaches because of the concert. Some streets in the center may be closed for the events.
Public transport runs normally, with crowded stations near the center. Check the official city portal for street closures and the program, which changes each year, and expect that the concert is a large public event with security arrangements.
Atmosphere
On the morning of 24 May Slavyanskaya Square is quiet and formal, with a small crowd, priests in vestments, a choir and flowers at the foot of the monument. The Kitay-Gorod streets around it are old and narrow, and the church bells carry across the square.
In the afternoon the center turns festive, with music in the squares, families walking and, near Red Square, the sound of a large concert and a crowd singing along. The weather in late May is usually mild. The crowd varies by year and no figures were verified.
History of Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscow
Saints Cyril and Methodius were brothers from Byzantium who were sent to the Slavs in the 9th century. They translated the Gospels and liturgical books into a language the Slavs could understand, and they are credited with creating a Slavic script, in 863 according to the usual date, though modern researchers believe that they created the Glagolitic alphabet and that the Cyrillic alphabet was made by Cyril’s student Kliment of Ohrid. In the Russian Orthodox Church they are revered as equal to the apostles.
In 1863, the 1,000th anniversary of the creation of the alphabet, the celebrations of the two saints were held in the Russian Empire, and 24 May was established as their day of commemoration. The Orthodox Church marks the day with services in all churches. In Bulgaria the day has been celebrated since 1851 on 11 May in the old style, which is 24 May in the new style.
In the Soviet era the day was revived: in 1986 celebrations were held in Murmansk, thanks to a writer who also initiated the first monument to the saints in Russia, and each year a new city was chosen for exhibitions, lectures and literary meetings. On 30 January 1991 the Day of Slavic Writing and Culture was officially approved as a state-church holiday, a combination that was the first of its kind.
In Moscow the monument to Cyril and Methodius on Slavyanskaya Square was opened on 24 May 1992. Since 2010 large celebrations have been held in the capital, with a liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and a concert on Red Square. The day is celebrated also in Bulgaria, Belarus and other countries with Slavic and Orthodox traditions.
Tickets and Booking for Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscow
There is no ticket for the day. The monument, the processions and church services are free to attend, and the concert on Red Square has been a public event, though access is controlled and details change each year. Other events, such as exhibitions or concerts in venues, may be free or ticketed by their own organizers, so no program or prices are given here.
- Official information: the city’s official portal, mos.ru, lists public events and closures for the day.
- Payment: foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are reported not to work in Russia, and the sanctions rules of your own country may restrict some Russian payment services, so check this yourself.
Rates for Russian citizens and concessions differ at ticketed events, so check each organizer’s own page for the current edition.
Get Tickets for Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscow
How to Get to Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscow
The monument is on Slavyanskaya Square, and the Kitay-Gorod station (Lines 6 and 7) is right under the square; the exit and walking time were not verified. For the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the nearest station is Kropotkinskaya (Line 1), and for Red Square see the Red Square guide.
- Metro: use Kitay-Gorod; the metro guides on this site explain the lines, and some central stations may be crowded or restricted on the day.
- Taxi: streets near the center can be closed; the taxi apps guide of this site explains the options.
Accessibility
No accessibility information was found for the day. The square is open and paved, as far as is known, but crowds and security checks around the cathedral and Red Square make movement difficult, so check conditions before you go.
Food Nearby
Cafes and restaurants are around Kitay-Gorod and Varvarka Street, and they are busy on the day. No individual venue was verified for this guide, so check opening hours on site.
What to Bring
A light jacket and comfortable shoes for walking in the old center, modest clothing if you plan to enter a church, and rubles in cash for small purchases, since foreign cards are reported not to work.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscow
The monument on Slavyanskaya Square
The figures of the two saints with flowers at the base and the church of All Saints behind. The old church and the monument make a clear frame.
Best time: Morning during the service.
Varvarka Street looking toward the Kremlin
The narrow old street of churches and merchants' houses running west with the Kremlin in the distance. It shows the Kitay-Gorod setting.
Best time: Late afternoon light.
The edge of Red Square during the concert
The crowd and the stage against the Kremlin wall, seen from a permitted position. Photograph the scene, not people's faces.
Best time: Afternoon or evening.
Photography Rules
No general photography rules for the day were found. Churches may restrict photography during services, worshippers should not be photographed without permission, and security staff near Red Square may restrict tripods and drones, so follow their instructions. Drone rules in Moscow are strict and were not checked.
Family Suitability
The day suits families with older children interested in history and language, and the concert and street events are lively. Crowds, security checks and a long day are hard for young children. Stroller access in crowded areas is difficult.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Visit the monument in the morning for the quiet service and come back to Kitay-Gorod later for a walk.
- Pair the day with a lesson in reading Cyrillic, since the letters have a direct link to the saints.
- Do not expect a day off; 24 May is a normal working day.
- Check the access rules to Red Square, since the concert area is controlled.
- Walk Varvarka Street to see the old churches on the way to the Kremlin.
- Look for readings and exhibitions in libraries and cultural centers for a quieter experience.
Explore Nearby Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscow
Sights near Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscow
Zaryadye Park Moscowabout 450 m away (~7 min walk) · typical visit: 1–2 hours; 3 hours with the pavilionsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Red Square Moscow – about 500 m away (~8 min walk) · typical visit: 1–2 hours for the square, 3–5 hours with St Basil's and one museumMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
GUM Moscowabout 450 m away (~7 min walk) · typical visit: 1–2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
St. Basil’s Cathedral Moscowabout 450 m away (~7 min walk) · typical visit: 45–90 minutes insideMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Zaryadye Concert Hall Moscowabout 450 m away (~8 min walk) · typical visit: About 2.5 to 3 hours for a concertMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Lenin’s Mausoleum Moscow – about 600 m away (~9 min walk) · typical visit: 30–60 minutes including the queue; a few minutes insideMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscow
Kitay-Gorod Metro Stationabout 300 m away (~5 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ploshchad Revolyutsii Metro Stationabout 450 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Lubyanka Metro Stationabout 500 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscow
Stolovaya 57about 450 m away (~7 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Varenichnaya No. 1about 500 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Masa Madreabout 550 m away (~9 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
SAVVAabout 600 m away (~9 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Nightlife near Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscow
Papa's Barabout 400 m away (~7 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Alexey Kozlov Clubabout 450 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscow
The St. Regis Moscow Nikolskayaabout 450 m away (~7 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotel Metropol Moscowabout 600 m away (~9 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ararat Park Hotel Moscowabout 700 m away (~11 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Events and traditions near Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscow
Non/fiction Book Fair in Moscowabout 250 m away (~4 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Spasskaya Tower Military Music Festivalabout 500 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
National Unity Day in Moscowabout 500 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Related guides
Kitay-Gorod: Walls, Varvarka Street and What to SeeMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Tverskoy: Tverskaya Street, Bolshoi Theatre and Pushkin SquareMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Fasol: Franchise Convenience Stores in Moscow, Hours and PaymentMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ruki Vverh! Bar – Tverskaya: 90s Karaoke Club on Tverskaya StreetMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Molodezh Nightclub: 24-Hour Bar and Club by MendeleyevskayaMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Browse more: More in Tverskoy · All Entertainment · All Events & Holidays
FAQ: Day of Slavic Writing and Culture in Moscow
When is the Day of Slavic Writing and Culture?
Every year on 24 May.
Who were Cyril and Methodius?
Byzantine brothers credited with creating the first Slavic script in the 9th century.
Is it a day off?
No, it is an observance and a working day.
Where is the monument?
On Slavyanskaya Square in Kitay-Gorod, above the Kitay-Gorod metro station.
What happens on Red Square?
A large concert has been held there each year since 2010.
Did Cyril and Methodius create Cyrillic?
Researchers believe they created Glagolitic; Cyrillic is credited to a student.
Is it a church or a state holiday?
Both, officially approved in 1991 as a state-church holiday.
Can visitors attend the service?
Yes, with modest clothing and quiet behavior.
* Affiliate link: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Discover More of Moscow with Our Travel Tips
Get practical Moscow travel tips, new destination guides and useful updates on attractions, opening hours and prices. Plan your visit with clear, helpful information delivered to your inbox.
Moscow Vibes is a one-person project. A coffee keeps it going
Last updated: October 7, 2026.
How we research and update our guides
About this guide: AI assistance and accuracy
This guide is created with the help of AI and is based on official sources where available. Mistakes can still happen. Opening hours, prices, rules and other details are given to the best of our knowledge as of the date shown and can change without notice. It offers general recommendations only, not professional, legal or travel advice. Please confirm important details with the official source before you travel; you are responsible for your own plans and decisions.
International sanctions affect payments between Russia and many other countries. In practice, cards issued in the EU, the UK, the US and several other countries often do not work in Russia, Russian cards usually do not work abroad, and some booking platforms, airlines and payment providers limit or suspend their services for Russia. The situation changes frequently. We do not give legal or financial advice, and this site does not encourage anyone to break or circumvent sanctions. Whatever you plan, you are responsible for following the laws and regulations that apply to you, including those of your country of residence and citizenship. Many travelers still organise their stay lawfully. It is worth asking your bank or payment provider what is currently permitted, contacting hotels, tour operators and carriers directly about the payment methods they accept, and checking which services are open to customers from your country. Clarify payment, cancellation and refund terms before you commit to a booking, and keep your plans flexible. Partner links on this site may not be available in every country, and prices, availability and rules in our guides can differ from what you see when you book.Paying for your trip: please read
Ask Masha