The Three Holy Hierarchs, Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John of the Golden-Mouth (Chrysostomos) are commemorated on the 30th of January by reason of the following event. In 1081 A.D., Emperor Alexios Komnenos of Constantinople (1057-1118 A.D.) came to the throne with the support of the military aristocracy, after Nekephoros III Botaneiates. At that time there came to pass in Constantinople a contention song men of high repute and virtue. This vigorous controversy came about in regard to the three great teachers and hierarchs, and which of them should be the greatest. Some preferred the great Basil on account of his treatises, which vividly and articulately examined the nature of things in existence. This group also landed Saint Basil’s virtues, not only likening him to the Angels, but even believing that he revealed them. They also approved of his practice of not absolving sinners in an easy or offhand manner. They applauded his serious disposition, and his freedom from being possessed of anything earthly. Now this same group also would have placed the divine Chrysostom in a lower place than Basil, since they believed that he readily absolved sinners.
Yet another faction elevated the holy Chrysostom over both Basil and Gregory, maintaining that his teaching, filled with wise and agile expressions, guided all and drew sinners to repentance. This group mostly favored Saint John on account of the multitude of his mellifluous writings, and the loftiness and breadth of his thoughts.
Others, however, favored the writings of Saint Gregory the Theologian and gave him the preeminent positions. They enjoyed his elegant and diversified manner of writing. His elevated and flowery style surpassed that of both the philosophers of Greek wisdom and Church writers to that date.
Thus the Christians were split into three rival groups, which named themselves Johannites, or Basilians, or Gregorians. Consequently, since the Christians could not settle the issue, a visitation, not a vision, was vouchsafed to Metropolitan John Mavroupous (1050-1075 A.D.) of Efchaita, a holy hierarch who attained to the summit of virtue. He was a notable and erudite man, well acquainted with Hellenic wisdom, of which his writings bear witness to his learning. He was also acclaimed for his writing of hymnographic canons and the lives of the Saints.
Metropolitan John affirmed that the Three Hierarchs appeared to him first individually and then together. He says that they spoke to him as with one mouth, saying, "We are as one before God. Even as thou dost see, we neither have any opposition to one another nor have any quarrel among ourselves; but in accordance with the times in which we happened to live, each of us, moved by the Divine Spirit, taught and wrote about various themes. Now as much as we learned by the Holy Spirit, these same teachings were also published for the salvation of the people…For this reason, command the rivaling factions not to remain divided on account of us…Therefore, when it seems fitting to thee, unite our commemoration on one day, and compose a troparion (hymn) for the feast; for we are as one before God. And be certain that we shall cooperate toward the salvation of those who celebrate our general commemoration, since we have boldness before God.
After the Saints uttered these things, they appeared to ascend again into the heavens, illumined with brilliant light and calling one another by name. Therefore, John of Efchaita was stirred in his heart and set about doing as the holy hierarchs (bishops) gave him charge. Indeed, he calmed the multitude of people and brought peace among the contending factions, because he was known by all as a virtuous man. It was decided that their celebration was to take place on the 30th of January.
Apolytikion (Dismissal) Hymn of the Three Hierarchs. First Tone
THE three most great luminaries of the Three-Sun Divinity have
illumined all of the world with the rays of doctrines divine and true;
they are the sweetly-flowing rivers of wisdom, who with godly knowl-
edge have watered all creation in clear and mighty streams: The Great
and sacred Basil, and the Theologian Gregory, together with the
renowned John, the famed Chrysostomos of golden speech. Let us
all who love their divinely-wise words come together, honouring them
with hymns; for ceaselessly they offer entreaty for us to the Trinity.
Kontakion Hymn. Second Tone
THOU hast taken to Thyself, O Lord, the sacred and God-proclaiming
heralds, the crown of Thy teachers, for the enjoyment of Thy blessings
and for repose; for Thou hast accepted their sufferings and labour
above all sacrifice, O Thou Who alone dost glorify Thy Saints.
Through the intercessions of this sacred triad of hierarchs, may the Church granted peace, and may we be vouchsafed to glorify together the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the One God, to Whom is due all Glory, Honor, and Veneration, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
(Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)
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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George
The Eastern Orthodox Christian Ethos 