Christianization of the territory of today's Moravia and Slovakia before 863Ivanič, Peter (Avtor) Middle AgesChristianitychristianizationSlovakiaMoraviaChristianization, associated with consolidation of power and establishment of early Christian state formations, contributed significantly to creation of medieval Europe. Although the territory of today´s Moravia (eastern part of the Czech Republic) and Slovakia came into contact with Christianity already at the end of antiquity, the more intensive Christianization of these lands took place only from the 8th century, when this territory was settled by Slavs. Missionaries from the Frankish Empire, from the territory of Istria, Dalmatia and northern Italy came here. Domestic Slavic elites started to convert to Christianity as from the 9th century. For them, Christianity became a means of recognizing their social status externally and allowed them to integrate with the more culturally advanced Christian world. Archaeological findings (e.g. crosses and captorgs, plaques and bells from Bojná, objects of secular character), written sources, sacral architecture and burying methods testify to the existence of Christianity in the territory of today´s Moravia and Slovakia, especially in centers of the power. 20202024-10-10 09:22:55Članek v reviji163698UDK: 27-9(437.32+437.6)"653"ISSN pri članku: 0006-5722DOI: 10.34291/BV2020/03/IvanicCOBISS_ID: 44704771sl