Day of the Declaration of Slovakia as an Independent Ecclesiastic Province Date in the current year: December 30, 2024

Over 60% of Slovaks identify themselves as Roman Catholics. The first missioners came to the territory of the present-day Slovakia in the 9th century. The main part of Slovakian territories belonged to the dioceses of Eger (Hungary).

After the establishment of Czechoslovakia in 1918 its government started confrontation with the Hungarian dioceses. This made pope interfere in the religious situation in Czechoslovakia, that led to appointment of the Czechoslovakian bishops, later the first separate ecclesiastical province was created.

After the end of World War II the ruling Communist Party started the process of dechristianization of Czechoslovakia. After the Prague Spring in 1968 the situation improved and Pope Paul VI declared creation of a separate ecclesiastical province of Slovakia. This event took place on December 30, 1977.