The feast day of the Three Hierarchs, St Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and St. John Chrystostom, which annually falls on Jan. 30, was celebrated in schools throughout Greece today, on Friday, the last weekday of the week.
This trio of saints is considered as among the great ecumenical teachers and influential bishops of the early Church, and as such, they are venerated together by the Greek Orthodox Church as the patron saints of Greek letters and learning.
Jan. 30 this year comes tomorrow, Saturday.
In a message addressed towards pupils and students, issued on the eve of the Feast of the Three Hierarchs and the Day of Greek Letters, the Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece reminded that the trio of saints were not only wise fathers and scholars, but also struggled to leave Greek learning and Christian education as a legacy for all the world’s young people.
“…They taught and continue to teach us, for all humanity, and particularly the young of every generation,” the message read.
Greece’s education minister, Niki Kerameos, also issued a message on the eve of the feast day of the Three Hierarchs.
Elsewhere, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople held the celebration of the feast day of the Three Hierarchs on Friday — at the Phanar district’s Patriarchal see, given that pandemic restrictions in Turkey prohibit the non-essential movement outdoors on the weekends.
A Patriarchal and Synodal Divine Liturgy was held at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George on Friday morning.
