On meatfare Thursday, February 12, 2026, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the common commemoration of the Three Hierarchs: Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory the Theologian, and Saint John Chrysostom.
This joint commemoration was instituted by the Church in the eleventh century, at the initiative and through the efforts of John Mauropous, Bishop of Euchaita, to resolve a dispute among the faithful. Some greatly admired Saint John Chrysostom and were called “Johannites”; others favoured Saint Gregory the Theologian and were called “Gregorites”; while others preferred Saint Basil the Great and were called “Basileites”. The establishment of a common feast brought an end to this division.
The celebration took place in the Church of the Holy Trinity at the Patriarchal School of Zion, since the Three Hierarchs are regarded as patrons of education and letters, and as bridge-builders through their teaching between Greek learning and Christian wisdom. Worthy of special mention is the work of Saint Basil the Great addressed to the youth, “On How They Might Profit from Greek Literature.”
In their honour, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the aforementioned Church of the Holy Trinity by the President of the School Board, the Elder Sacristan, Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis. The festal oration of the day was delivered by the Greek literature teacher Ioannis Karanikolas. The professors and students of the School were in attendance.
After the Divine Liturgy, the Managing Director of the school, monk Vasileios, received the Episcopal entourage and the entire congregation in the School’s ceremonial hall.
The memory of the Three Hierarchs was also celebrated in the Monastery of Saint Basil the Great near the New Gate, through the preparation and hospitality of the Hegumen, the Elder Kamárasis, Nektarios, with the concelebration of the Priest Nektarios, in the presence of nuns of the Patriarchate and faithful of Jerusalem.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
