Origins:
* The Glagolitic alphabet: Created by Saints Cyril and Methodius in the 9th century to translate religious texts into Old Church Slavonic, the language of the Slavic peoples. The Glagolitic alphabet was complex and challenging to learn.
* The Cyrillic alphabet: Developed in the 9th century by disciples of Saints Cyril and Methodius, possibly by Saint Clement of Ohrid. The Cyrillic alphabet was simpler and more practical, based on the Greek alphabet.
Evolution:
* Early Cyrillic: The initial form of the Cyrillic alphabet was used in Old Church Slavonic and spread across Eastern Europe, including Russia.
* Russian adaptation: Over time, the Cyrillic alphabet used in Russia underwent significant modifications and adaptations to suit the phonetics and writing conventions of the Russian language. This involved adding new letters, changing existing ones, and refining the script.
* Printing press: The invention of the printing press in the 15th century standardized the Russian Cyrillic alphabet, leading to widespread literacy and cultural development.
Therefore, it's incorrect to attribute the invention of the Russian alphabet to a single person. It's the result of a complex historical process involving multiple individuals, influences, and adaptations over centuries.