Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs: St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom Feb. 2/Jan. 30

During the reign of the noble and Christ-loving Tsar Alexei Komnenos, who assumed royal power after Nicephorus the Botaniates, there was a great dispute in Constantinople about these three saints between the most skillful teachers of wisdom in eloquence.

Some put Basil the Great above other saints, calling him a skilful orator, since he surpassed everyone in word and deed, and they saw in him a man who was little inferior to the angels, a strong disposition, not easily forgiving sins and alien to everything earthly; below him they put the divine John Chrysostom, as having qualities different from the indicated ones: he was disposed to pardon sinners and soon allowed them to repentance.

Others, on the contrary, elevated the divine Chrysostom as a man-loving man who understands the weakness of human nature, and as an eloquent orator who instructed everyone to repentance with his many honeyed speeches; therefore they revered him above Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian.

Others, finally, stood for Saint Gregory the Theologian, claiming that by his persuasive speech, skillful interpretation of Holy Scripture, he surpassed all the most glorious representatives of Hellenic wisdom, both those who lived before and those of his day. Thus, some elevated the glory of Saint Gregory, while others humiliated his significance. From this came discord between many, some called Johnites, others Basilians, and others Gregorians. The most skillful men in eloquence and wisdom argued about these names.

Some time after the disputes arose, these great saints appeared, first each separately, and then all three together - moreover, not in a dream, but in reality, - to John, Bishop of Euchaite, a learned man, very well versed in Hellenic wisdom (as his writings also testify to this), as well as who became famous for his virtuous life. They told him with one mouth:

- We are equal before God, as you can see; We have neither division nor any opposition to each other. Each of us separately, at one time, excited by the Divine Spirit, wrote the corresponding teachings for the salvation of people. What we have learned intimately, we have clearly passed on to people. There is neither the first nor the second between us. If you refer to one, then both others agree on the same. Therefore, command those who bicker about us to stop arguing, for both in life and after death we care to bring the ends of the universe to peace and unanimity. In view of this, unite in one day the memory of us and, as befits you, compose a festive service for us, and convey to the others that we have equal dignity with God. But we, who commemorate us, will be hastens to salvation, since we hope that we have some merit with God.

Having said this to the bishop, they began to ascend to heaven, shining with ineffable light and calling each other by name. The blessed Bishop John immediately, through his efforts, restored peace between the enemies, since he was a great man in virtue and famous in his wisdom. He established the feast of three saints, as the saints commanded him, and bequeathed to the churches to celebrate it with appropriate triumph. In this, the wisdom of this great man was clearly revealed, since he saw that in January the memory of all three saints was celebrated, namely: on the first day - Basil the Great, on the twenty-fifth - the divine Gregory, and on the twenty-seventh - Saint Chrysostom - then he united them on the thirtieth day of the same month, crowning the celebration of their memory with canons, troparions, and praises, as befits.

Saint Basil the Great surpassed in book wisdom not only the teachers of his time, but also the most ancient: he passed not only the entire science of eloquence to the last word, but also studied philosophy well, as well as comprehended the science that teaches true Christian activity. Then, leading a virtuous life, full of non-covetousness and chastity, and ascending with his mind to the Vision of God, he was enthroned to the episcopal throne, having 40 years of age, and for 8 years was the primate of the Church.

Saint Gregory the Theologian was so great that if it were possible to create a human image and a pillar, composed in parts of all the virtues, then he would be like the great Gregory. Having shone with his holy life, he reached such a height in the field of theology that he conquered everyone with his wisdom, both in verbal disputes and in the interpretation of the dogmas of faith. This is why he was called the Theologian. He was a saint in Constantinople for 12 years, establishing Orthodoxy. Having lived then for a short time on the Patriarchal throne (as it is written about it in his hagiography), he left the throne because of his advanced age and, being 60 years old, he withdrew into the mountain monasteries.

Of the divine Chrysostom it can justly be said that he surpassed all the Hellenic sages in intellect, persuasiveness of word and elegance of speech; he explained and interpreted the Divine Scriptures inimitably; equally, in virtuous life and divine vision he far surpassed all.

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The Icon itself shows the three hierarchs in unity. All vested as bishops, they can be identified by their facial features which are well-known and depicted faithfully in all icons of the Saints. Saint Basil has dark hair with a long, pointed beard; Saint John is recognizable by his high forehead and tuft of hair in the centre of his head; Saint Gregory is bearded with white hair.

Let us who love their words gather together
and honor with hymns the three great torch-bearers of the triune Godhead:
Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom.
These men have enlightened the world with the rays of their divine doctrines.
They are sweetly-flowing rivers of wisdom
filling all creation with springs of heavenly knowledge.
Ceaselessly they intercede for us before the Holy Trinity!