Celebrating the Feast of the three Hierarchs- Day of Greek Letters

On January 30th, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Three Holy Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom. They were highly influential bishops of the early church who played pivotal roles in shaping Christian theology. The three are venerated as saints in Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Anglicanism, and other Christian churches.

On January 26th, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey hosted its annual commemoration event, inviting the Consul General of Greece in New York, Konstantinos Koutras as the celebration’s keynote speaker.

Addressing the audience, the Consul underscored the importance of these ecumenical Teachers’ contribution not only in relation to their explanations of Christian Faith but also because all three demonstrated a passion for educational opportunities. True philanthropists, they led exemplary lives of monastic virtue. They are considered patrons of the institution of Education because, having received a brilliant education themselves, they acknowledged the significance of this high privilege. And not only; the Holy Hierarchs managed to create a constructive dialogue between ancient Greek philosophy and the Christian Faith (Basil had been educated in Athens). The Consul General pointed out that their contribution was indeed colossal because they used Greek to disseminate both their messages and the Greek language. “Today, we pay tribute not only to our Church’s ecumenical Teachers but to every teacher, distinguished or humble, who strives to promote Greek Letters” the Consul stressed.

The event closed with a musical and dance performance by Greek-American pupils, as well as a closing speech by His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey.