January 30 - the church holiday of the Synaxis of the Three Holy Hierarchs: its meaning, history, and traditions
Kyiv • UNN
Eastern Rite Christians celebrate the Synaxis of the Three Holy Hierarchs on January 30 – a day commemorating Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom. The holiday was introduced to signify the equality of the three prominent Church Fathers.
On January 30, Eastern Rite Christians celebrate the Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs - a day commemorating Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom. The holiday was established to signify the equality of the three prominent Church Fathers who made significant contributions to the development of Christian doctrine. UNN will provide more details about the origin, meaning, and traditions of the holiday.
Origin and meaning of the holiday
The Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs originated in the 11th-12th centuries during the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos. At that time, disputes arose among believers in Constantinople as to which of the three hierarchs should be considered the most important. Then, according to church tradition, all three hierarchs: Basil the Great, John Chrysostom, and Gregory the Theologian, appeared in a dream to Saint John Mauropous, Metropolitan of Euchaita, and informed the priest that all three of them were equal before God. After this, a common day for their veneration was chosen - January 30, which has been preserved to this day.
Chinese New Year: traditions and celebration features16.01.26, 21:05 • 26164 views
Who are the Three Saints
Basil the Great was born into a wealthy and pious family in the city of Caesarea in Cappadocia. From childhood, he distinguished himself by his aptitude for learning and his desire for knowledge, which allowed him to receive an education in the best schools of his time.
Becoming Archbishop of Caesarea, Basil the Great proved himself to be a defender of the Christian faith, a talented preacher, and a reformer of divine services. He cared for orphans and the poor, organized monastic life, and made a significant contribution to the development of the liturgy. It was for these merits that the Church gave him the title of the Great. His memory is also honored on January 1.
Gregory the Theologian came from Cappadocia and was a close friend of Basil the Great. His father, who was a bishop, ordained Gregory as a priest, and later he became Bishop of Sasima and Archbishop of Constantinople.
Gregory became famous as one of the best preachers of his time. His sermons are considered examples of rhetorical art. It was he who particularly emphasized the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, which he laid at the foundation of Christian dogma. For the depth of his theological thought, he received the honorary title of Theologian.
John Chrysostom was from Antioch and was about 20 years younger than Basil and Gregory. Thanks to his oratorical skills and deep knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, he quickly gained authority among believers. Later, John became Archbishop of Constantinople. His sermons attracted large masses of people, as he clearly explained the texts of the Old and New Testaments. For the power and beauty of his words, he was called Chrysostom. About 800 of his sermons have survived to this day, and his works were known in the territory of modern Ukraine even in princely times.
Traditions and prohibitions on the day of the holiday
On the day of the Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs, believers visit the church, pray to the saints, and spend time with their families. On this day, it is customary to ask for intercession for soldiers, healing for the sick, and support for widows and orphans.
At the same time, it is not recommended to quarrel, swear, spread gossip, or perform heavy physical labor on the holiday. According to folk beliefs, one should also not spin, go to the forest, or wear red clothes.