Saint Clement of Ohrid

Born in AD 840 in the region of Bulgaria, Clement was a disciple of the famous Saints Cyril and Methodius, the "Apostles to the Slavs." Under their tutelage, he mastered the Glagolitic alphabet, which was the earliest Slavic script.

Following the death of his teachers, Clement carried on their missionary work among the Slavs. He moved to Bulgaria, where he worked under the patronage of the Bulgarian Tsar Boris I. Clement was instrumental in establishing the Ohrid Literary School, where he educated some 3,500 students, thus greatly contributing to the Slavic cultural and liturgical development.

In recognition of his work, Clement was ordained as the Bishop of Velika (now in modern-day North Macedonia) around AD 893. He focused on serving his diocese, establishing a monastery in Ohrid that became a significant spiritual and educational center.

Saint Clement of Ohrid reposed on July 27, 916, and was canonized soon after. He was buried in his monastery in Ohrid, and his relics are considered a significant holy site today.

Saint Clement of Ohrid's lasting legacy lies in his substantial contributions to Slavic Christian literature and culture. His translation of the Bible into Old Church Slavonic and his liturgical and scholarly writings laid a solid foundation for the cultural heritage of Slavic Christianity. He is also recognized as a patron saint of Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and the Macedonian Orthodox Church.

For those interested in learning more about Orthodox Saints and Orthodox Christianity, we invite you to peruse our collection here. Discover the legacy of a saint who played a pivotal role in the spiritual and cultural formation of the Slavic world.