Review article
The Origin of the Glagolitic Scripture: Istria and Kvarner – The Homeland of the Glagolitic Scripture
Josip Škunca
; Samostan sv. Frane, Zadar
Abstract
Among several theories regarding the origins of the Glagolitic script, the author chooses to seek for the Gothic origin. He states that Slavonic apostles Cyril and Method are not the inventors of the Glagolitic scripture: they redacted and adjusted took the existing scripture biblical texts, for the needs of their mission in the West. Taking into account the antique sources, Thomas the Arch-dean of Split and the Croatian Chronicle, which almost equal Goths and Croats, as well as the fact that traces of the Glagolitic script are found where the eastern Goths lived and ruled in the past, the author considers that the origins of the Glagolitic script should be explored in that particular ambient. The reason for the deep rootedness of the Glagolitic script in Istria and Kvarner is found in the concentration of Goths in that region, which was stronger for historical reasons. Henceforth this region could be considered the cradle of the Glagolitic script. The Goths of Arian beliefs had their national bishop and the national language in liturgy, and handed over this tradition to Croats with whom they merged. Finally, the author presents an overview of the destiny of the Old-Slavonic liturgy in Istria.
Keywords
Glagolitic script; Old-Slavonic liturgy; Goths and Croats; Episcopus Chroatensis; Istria and Kvarner
Hrčak ID:
128988
URI
Publication date:
19.9.2014.
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