| The first Christian church in Slovakia was consecrated
in Nitra in about 826 A.D. Later in the 9th century, Prince Rastislav I
of the Great Moravian Empire sent an ambassador to the emperor in Constantinople
asking for missionaries who could teach his people the Christian faith
in their own language. Two Greek brothers, Cyril and Methodius, came as
missionaries. Saints Cyril and Methodius are an important part of Slovakia's
history. They translated religious books into the Slavic language, established
churches and forged a connection between Constantinople, Rome and Great
Moravia. |
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| Roman Catholics make up 60% of Slovakia's population
today. Slovakia was almost entirely Catholic until the 16th century, when
Lutheran Protestantism spread into Slovakia from Moravia (now part of the
Czech Republic).
During the 16th century, most Slovaks became
Lutheran. However, during the 17th century, when Slovakia was part of Hungary,
most Slovaks converted back to Catholicism. Now about 6% of the population
is Evangelical Lutheran. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Lutherans did
not have equal rights with Catholics. In the 19th century, Lutherans were
an important part of Slovakia's nationalist movement. Today, most of Slovakia's
Lutherans inhabit central Slovakia.
About 3% of Catholic Slovaks follow the Byzantine
Rite. They are known as "Greek Catholics" and live mainly in Eastern Slovakia.
They use a Graeco-Slavic liturgy similar to the Greek Orthodox liturgy.
Orthodox priests are allowed to marry before their ordinations. |
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Did you know? |
| Slovakia
has a rich architectural heritage of wooden churches. The wooden church
in Paludza seats 3,600. Not a single nail was used in its construction. |
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| The Communist regime was hostile towards religion.
Nevertheless, many Slovaks maintained their faith and their religious practices.
Some priests worked at regular jobs by day and conducted masses in private
houses and apartments in the evenings. Since the fall of Communism in 1989,
church attendance has increased steadily. There is a renewed interest in
spirituality throughout the country. During the summer, many Catholics
make pilgrimages to sites dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who is the patron
saint of Slovakia. |
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Did you know? |
| Between
1526 and 1830, nineteen Habsburg rulers were crowned in St. Martin's Cathedral
in Bratislava, which is still known as the Coronation Church. |
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