Old scripts from Ohrid, Macedonia dating from 9th - 14th century A.D.

Old scripts from Ohrid dating from 9th - 14th century A.D. The richest literary activity was developed during the strong Macedonian Empire of Samoil by the end of 10th and the beginning of the 11th century. During this time Ohrid Archbishopric was founded, which aside its church authority, took care of the cultural development of its ethos. After the fall of Samoils kingdom, through the long slavery that were to follow, Macedonian nation found enough strength to preserve at least a part of its literary heritage. A great deal of it had been robbed and taken to foreign countries, destroyed or hidden. But, the part that has been preserved or the origin of which is known, clearly speaks of its great value. So, with centuries, the books being the best witness of time, was created with special care and piety by some, and destroyed by others. However, at least in one part of the people common sense prevailed. Caring about it started in order to preserve it for the generations to come. The most distant roots of this librarianship is rooted in the 9th and 10th century, through the mission of Slavic enlighteners, the Thessalonica/Solun brothers St. Cyril and Methodius. It is known that the initial steps of Slavic literacy had been made in this part of Macedonia. The commenced great education deed was continued by their disciples St. Clement and Naum, who came from and worked in Ohrid and Kutmichevica region. Cyril and Methodius brothers shape the Slavic alphabet, create Slavic literature language into which they translate from Greek into Slavic the most necessary religious and other books, so that they can successful realize their epochal work. Their newly created alphabet was, the so-called Glagolica a completely new and creative letter, very different from the Cyrillic. The holy brothers also codified the first literary Slavic language, known under the name Old Slavic or Old Church Slavic/Slavonic. The basis of that language was the south Macedonian dialects of the Thessalonica villages: Suho, Zarova, Visoko etc.This language existed until the 12th century.