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THE STATUE OF ST. CYRIL AND ST METHODIUS
Work of sculptor Albin Polasek (born February 14th 1879 in Frenštát, died May 19th 1965 in Winter Park, USA), this statue is the very opposite of Radegast, the pagan god statue. It is the embodiment of brotherhood and the symbol of unity.
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Veined hands prove the two saints to be men of work. The small pagan god at their feet symbolises paganism defeated. St. Cyril (called Reverend) is holding an open book so that we can read the first words of St. John's gospel - "In the beginning" - written in Glagolitic script. St. Methodius is pointing at the letters and raising the three-level Byzantine cross. Both figures, heads bared and shoed in sandals, are perfectly differentiated and characterised.
St. Cyril, without any doubt, is a philosopher. He wears his monk's frock with a dignified and concentrated look in his face. He looks younger than the bald-headed St. Methodius, whose older age had witnessed more hardships. Methodius's features are dramatically drawn and branded with pain, a pain that Cyril was saved from by his premature death at the age of 42. Richly adorned garb symbolises his primateship.
The hollow sculpture, 2.6m tall, weighing 800kg, was cast in bronze to stress that.
The Christian culture was introduced later and was of higher level. The statue stands on a 1.6m high granite block behind the chapel on the top of Radhošť, on the spot formerly occupied by a stone cross.* Facing east, it looks at Radegast on the opposite hill and at the same time with impressive peace and stateliness welcomes those who are coming to the chapel. (Methodius means "loving order")
The artist truly succeeded in embodying the idol of his youth into the austere material. Pilgrims reaching the summit of sacred Radhošť cannot but look at this monument of their forefathers´ heroism with reverence. They will stop in deep thought and gratefully remember also the artist who, while an American citizen, in such beautiful and unique way proved his love of his native country.
(Book on the Memorable Radhošť Mountain by F. Horečka)
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* There used to be a cross on the place where you can now find the sculpture of the missionaries. Since 1735 it had been a wooden cross and in 1805 was replaced by a tall stone one. Unfortunately, it did not survive one of the strong winds. Consequently the cross was erected again on a lower base. It can be seen to the left of the chapel door
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