Final answer:
The translation of the Bible and the celebration of Mass in the Slavic language by St Cyril and St Methodius led to the spread of Christianity and establishment of monasteries across Eastern Europe, the creation of the Cyrillic alphabet, and contributed to a common religious culture tied to Eastern Orthodoxy.
Step-by-step explanation:
As a result of St Cyril and St Methodius translating the Bible and celebrating Mass in the language of the Slavs, several significant developments occurred in Eastern Europe. Their work facilitated the spread of Christianity, leading to the establishment of monasteries which became centers of learning and missionary work, extending religious influence into Slavic territories and eventually into Russia.
Their efforts promoted the localization of the liturgy and contributed to the creation of a common religious culture tied to Eastern Orthodoxy.
This cultural and religious shift played a crucial role in the formation of national identities and the development of the Cyrillic alphabet, further distinguishing the Eastern Slavic regions from the Latin-speaking West. Their contributions led to a united Eastern Orthodoxy branching deep into what we now know as Russia, with marked linguistic and religious distinctions from the Western Latin Church.
Moreover, the advent of literacy in Slavic languages fostered by the Cyrillic alphabet paved the way for a literary culture that would endure for centuries. In the broader context of Christian divisions, the missions of Cyril and Methodius exemplified the contrast between the Eastern Church's acceptance of local languages for religious practice, and the Western Church's adherence to Latin.
This distinction became more pronounced following the Great Schism between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, and the eventual fall of Constantinople which marked the definitive split between the two Christian traditions. The Cyril and Methodius mission's long-lasting impact on the region set the precedent for defining the cultural and religious landscape of Eastern Europe and formed part of the complex tapestry of Christianity's history in the continent.