The patriarchal cross, also known as the Byzantine cross, first emerged in great numbers in the 9th century in the Byzantine Empire. The double cross was a political emblem employed by Byzantine clerks and missionaries during the 9th century Byzantine Empire, rather than a religious one. One modern interpretation of the double cross is that it depicts Slovakia as the successor and defender of Christian tradition, which was delivered to the region by two Byzantine missionaries named St. Cyril and St. Methodius.