The history of Christianity is full of big names. Theologians, simple monks, hermits and teachers of the faith over the centuries shaped the doctrine of Orthodoxy, eradicated heresy, and instructed their followers in the teachings.
However, 3 names stand out even among this constellation of saints. These are John Chrysostom, Gregory the Theologian and Basil the Great.
Two of them, Gregory and Basil, were the same age, best friends. The third, John Chrysostom, was their admirer and student.
They happened to live in an era in which the old, Roman culture was collapsing and a new, Byzantine culture was being built. In the era when paganism was replaced and Christianity was established everywhere. At such a time there are always many excesses, false interpretations and heresies.
The three church fathers did a great job, thanks to which Orthodoxy was formed as a teaching, with its own dogma, liturgical rules, with its own ideology.
Their works were of great importance for the fight against the Arian heresy, their arguments about the trinity of God laid the foundations Orthodox doctrine.
All three received an excellent education, which they used in their brilliant sermons and written works to convey to the followers of Christ the most important fundamental ideas of Orthodoxy.
Several centuries later, the identities of the great Cappadocians and the Patriarch of Constantinople became the subject of serious disputes between the inhabitants of Constantinople. Church ministers were also involved in the discussions. Who is more right, more important, better, made a greater contribution to the development of Christianity.
The debate was put to an end by a vision to Metropolitan John Mauropus. All 3 saints appeared to John. They claimed that there was neither the first nor the second between them. All three share each other’s faith and thoughts. “Our task,” the holy fathers told the Metropolitan, “is to bring the world to unanimity. Therefore, establish for us one day of veneration, and compile a festive service.”
Since then, for more than 9 centuries, the church has been honoring the fathers of Orthodoxy on February 12.
Days of Remembrance
February 12
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