Patriarch Daniel of Romania emphasized on Friday, January 30, that the Holy Three Hierarchs “are the point of reference for the orthodoxy of faith,” as he participated in the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the historic Chapel of Saint Great Martyr George at the Patriarchal Residence on the occasion of their feast.

Defenders of the Faith

The Patriarch explained that the unity of Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom is grounded in several fundamental aspects of their life and ministry, which establish them as enduring points of reference for the life of the Church.

First, the Patriarch of Romania highlighted that the Holy Three Hierarchs shared the same formative foundation: “They were born into devout Christian families and possessed extensive theological and secular education.”

Patriarch Daniel further emphasized that the three hierarchs were “great defenders of the Orthodox faith and of the unity of the Church in the face of heresies and schisms,” courageously assuming the responsibility of safeguarding right doctrine even in hostile historical contexts.

People of Prayer

The three hierarchs were also people of prayer. Patriarch Daniel noted that “they lived deeply spiritual lives marked by prayer and fasting, as well as intense liturgical participation.”

The Holy Three Hierarchs “called people to repentance, holy living, and charity,” being not only theologians of words but also shepherds of action, deeply concerned with the concrete suffering of their fellow human beings.

Another shared characteristic is their vision of the human person. The Patriarch of Romania pointed out that the Holy Three Hierarchs “were great defenders of the dignity of the human person, created in the image of God.”

Teachers of Orthodoxy

Patriarch Daniel noted that all these dimensions converge in their pedagogical role: “The Holy Three Hierarchs are the spiritual patrons of Orthodox theological schools, especially Orthodox faculties of theology, according to the decision of the First Congress of Orthodox Theological Schools held in Athens in 1936.”

“May God help us to feel their prayers for us, to follow their example, and to honor them with great devotion, as true teachers of Orthodoxy,” His Beatitude said at the conclusion of his sermon.

Source: basilica.ro
Photo credit: Ziarul Lumina