The Three Hierarchs of Eastern Christianity refer to Basil the Great (also known as Basil of Caesarea), Gregory the Theologian (also known as Gregory Nazianzus), and John Chrysostom. They were highly influential bishops of the early Church who played a central role in the development of Christian theology.
In Eastern Christianity they are also known as the Three Great Ecumenical Hierarchs and Teachers, while in Roman Catholicism all three are honored as Doctors of the Church.
The Three Hierarchs, the first doctors of the Church
Disputes raged in the 11th century in Constantinople over which of the three hierarchs was the greatest. Some argued that Basil was superior to the other two because of his explanations of the Christian faith and monastic example. Supporters of John Chrysostom retorted that the "golden-faced" Archbishop of Constantinople (Greek : Χρυσόστομος) was unrivaled both in his eloquence and in his ability to bring sinners to repentance.
A third group insisted that Basil's close friend Gregory the Theologian was preferred to the others because of the majesty, purity, and depth of his homilies and his defense of the faith against the Arian heresy.
All three have separate feast days in January: Basil on January 1, Gregory on January 25, and Chrysostom on January 27. The Eastern Churches teach that the three hierarchs appeared together in a vision to Saint John Mauropous, Bishop of Euchaita, in the year 1084, and said that they were equal before God: "There are no divisions among us, and no opposition to one another." Accordingly, a feast of January 30 commemorating all three in common was instituted around 1100 under the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos.
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Today, Eastern Christians celebrate the three hierarchs. Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus and John Chrysostom are among the first bishops of the Church. They contributed to the rise of Christianity in its beginnings. #mythology #myth #legend #calendar #30January #basile #gregoire #jean
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