Feast of the Three Holy Hierarchs
Quick, who are the three holy hierarchs?
Today we celebrate the feast of the three holy hierarchs. They each have their own individual feast in the month of January, but we celebrate them today in a special way. Back in the day, a debate was had around which of the holy hierarchs was the greatest. Things got heated, things were said, and while the people leading the debate were surely doing it out of great respect, ultimately they were causing unnecessary arguments within the church. The descriptions here can remind us of Paul's letter to the Corinthians, when he asks, "Is Christ divided?" in first Corinthians.
One night, the three hierarchs appeared in a dream to Saint John the Bishop of Euchaita and said that they were equal before God. “There are no divisions among us, and no opposition to one another.” They asked him to commemorate the occasion in a common service, which he did and the feast was established!
Still don't know who they are? It's the Bishops and Saints Basil the Great, Gregory, and John Chrystostom. In their honor and memory we sing,
"Teachers of the world, of one mind with the apostles, intercede with the Lord of all to grant peace to the world, and abundant mercy to our souls."