Prayer to Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom

Prayer to the Three Saints1

Oh, blessed luminaries of the Church of Christ, Vasily, Gregory and John, with the light of Orthodox dogmas the whole ends of the earth have been illuminated and with the sword of the words of God the blasphemous confusions and vacillations of heresies have been extinguished gone! “We fall to your mercy” with faith and love from the depths of our souls, crying out: standing before the throne of the Most Holy, Consubstantial, Life-Giving and Indivisible Trinity, behind the New Word, Scripture and Life May you strive well and rest your souls, always pray to Her, that she may strengthen us in Orthodoxy and like-mindedness, and unshakable even to death in the confession of the faith of Christ, and in all-soul obedience to His Church of Saints; may our invisible and visible enemies gird us with strength from on high; May He keep His Church unshakable from unbelief, superstition, heresies and schism; May He grant our people long life and good haste in everything; May our shepherd give spiritual sobriety and zeal for the salvation of the flock, justice and truth to the authorities, patience, courage and victory over enemies, intercession for the orphans and widows, healing for the sick, For them is good growth in faith, for the elders comfort, for those who are offended, for those who are offended, and for everyone everything that temporary and eternal life is necessary, as if in peace and repentance, with a burning desire for salvation, working for the Lord, fighting a good fight, we will end our course and be counted worthy in Heaven The Kingdom is with you always to sing and praise the most holy and magnificent Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit in eyelids of centuries. Amen.

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Spiridon of Trimifuntsky - brief description

Saint Spyridon is the second miracle worker after Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra.
In Greece, he is revered as one of the country's patrons. After many years of oblivion during the godless years of the twentieth century, people again pray to St. Spyridon, and over the past decades, evidence of his miracles has multiplied. Saint Spyridon is called a miracle worker, like Saint Nicholas of Myra. He is considered one of the great patrons of Greece; his relics rest on the island of Corfu. In all centuries, people turned to the saint and found help; in Russia of the twentieth century his name was forgotten, but today the veneration of the saint is being revived again. A great shrine is kept in Moscow, visibly showing the saint’s visit to people all over the world - a shoe from the relics of St. Spyridon.

Spyridon of Trimifuntsky lived in the 4th century after the Nativity of Christ and was a contemporary of Nicholas the Wonderworker. However, in all subsequent centuries he helped people from Heaven.

Troparion to St. Basil the Great, tone 12

Thy message went out into the whole earth, / because thou didst receive thy word, / which thou hast most gloriously taught, / thou hast clarified the nature of beings, / thou hast adorned human customs, / the royal veneration, reverend father,/ pray to Christ God// to save our souls.

Translation: Your voice has spread throughout the whole earth, for it has accepted your word: you have expounded to them the truths of the faith in a manner worthy of God, you have explained the nature of everything that exists, you have embellished human customs, royal priest, reverend father, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Prayer 1 to St. Basil the Great2

Oh, great in the hierarchy, God-wise teacher of the universe, blessed Father Vasily! Your great deeds and labors, which you have accomplished for the glory of the Holy Church: you have been a steadfast confessor and a lamp of the faith of Christ on earth, illuminating the faithful with the light of the knowledge of God, Slay false teachings and proclaim the word of salvation of truth to the whole world. Now, having greatness in Heaven, have boldness towards the Holy Trinity, help us, who bow to you with humility, to firmly and unchangeably preserve the holy Orthodox faith until the end of our lives, from the low Riya, keep doubts and waverings in faith, so that we will not be deceived by those who are contrary to God and soul-destroying teachings in words. The spirit of holy zeal, which you blazed with, O glorious shepherd of the Church of Christ, kindle with your intercession also in us, whom Christ has appointed to be shepherds, so that we may diligently enlighten and confirm I eat in the right faith the verbal flock of Christ. Pray to the Lord that our country may be exalted, and may He grant all our people health, long life and good haste in everything. Ask, O merciful saint, from the Father of lights and everyone, every gift that everyone needs: growth for the infant in the passion of God, chastity for the young, strength for the old and weak, consolation for the afflicted, healing for the sick, admonition and correction for the erring, intercession for the offended, protection for orphans and widows To those who are tempted, grace-filled help, to those who have departed from this temporary life, blessed repose to our fathers and brothers. To her, Holy One of God, look mercifully from the abodes on high upon us, humble ones, overwhelmed by many temptations and misfortunes, and lead those who are devoted to the earth to the heights of Heaven. Grant us, most good Father, your archpastoral and holy blessing, yes, in this autumn, in this new summer and at all other times of our lives in peace, repentance and obedience to the Holy Orthodox Church Let us live the Church, diligently doing the commandments of Christ, fighting the good fight of faith, and so We will achieve the Kingdom of Heaven, and together with you and all the saints, grant the Holy Trinity, Consubstantial and Indivisible, to sing and glorify forever and ever. Amen.

Memory of the Three Saints

Happy Feast of the Three Saints!

Each saint, Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian, is celebrated with a memorial day separately, but on February 12 they established a common celebration and here’s why.

Memory of the Three Saints

Each of them had their own admirers, some extolled St. Vasily, as a strict and firm teacher, others - St. Gregory, as a deeply understanding of the dogmas of faith, others finished reading St. John for his extraordinary eloquence. Quarrels and disputes began, offensive to the memory of the saints. To stop them, all three saints appeared in a vision to the bishop of Constantinople and said: “We are one with God, there is neither the first nor the second among us. We ask you, stop the argument and unite the memory of us on one day...” The bishop hastened to inform the people about this vision and established a common celebration for all three saints.

Saint John Chrysostom

The saint devoted his life entirely to serving the church. For his eloquence he was nicknamed Chrysostom. As Archbishop of Constantinople, he menacingly denounced the vices of modern society. Sacrificing everything for the poor, St. John tried to arouse compassion for them in others. In his sermons, the saint condemned the rich who did not help the poor, and thereby armed the nobles, and especially Queen Eudoxia, against himself.

Slandered by his enemies, by order of the empress, he was exiled first to Armenia, and two years later to Abkhazia. Before reaching the place of exile, the saint died in Comana with the words: “Glory to God for everything.” When Empress Eudoxia was replaced on the throne by her son, the relics of John Chrysostom were transferred to Constantinople. The emperor, weeping over the relics of the saint, asked for forgiveness for his mother. On February 9, the Church established the celebration of the day of the transfer of the holy relics of John Chrysostom.

Faith of the Three Saints

In Moscow, not far from the Kitay-Gorod metro station, there is a temple of three saints: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, who shone for people with their faith in Christ more than one and a half thousand years ago in the Eastern Roman Empire.

Now in this temple the ancient saints are prayerfully venerated. And twenty-odd years ago, like many other churches, it stood without service and without prayer. And the animation studio “Pilot” was located there. The entire space was divided into nooks and crannies by low walls, and an animator worked in each corner.

When the temple was given to the believers, and the studio had not yet moved, the priest and the believers sometimes came here to serve a prayer service or evening service. Among the plywood partitions, prayer chants were heard again after many decades, and the walls of the temple joyfully opened their eyes and smiled back, recognizing the familiar sounds.

And then the church became a church again, where services began to be held. Although just recently it was difficult to imagine. If some cartoonist, while he was poring over his drawings behind a plywood partition, had been told that in a few years Christians would begin to gather here for Liturgy, he would have only Fr. But such miracles actually happened in countless Russian cities and villages: hundreds of churches, turned into warehouses, clubs, workshops, or even simply left empty, were filled with believers and came to life. The faith of the three saints continued its life in the new Russia.

Single holiday

Prayer 2 to St. Basil the Great

Oh, great and most holy saint Father Basil, glorious teacher of the universal Church, all-zealous champion of the glory of the Most Holy Trinity, pre-elected Mother of God and Her most immaculate virginity confessor, most luminous image of purity, humility and patience. I am a great sinner and unworthy to look up to the heights of heaven, I humbly pray to you, O wise teacher of the Church of Christ, teach me to conduct my life in such a God-fearing way, and never take the path according to God’s commandment Ven, I will evade or I will be seduced. Protect and deliver me through your powerful intercession from the temptations of the world and the snares of the devil, just as you delivered the young man from them, who retreated from our Sweetest Savior and fell into the power of Satan. Grant me spiritual strength to diligently be an imitator of your lofty virtues: make me right in faith, firm and unshakable, strengthen the faint-hearted me in patience and trust in the Lord, warm me in this In my heart is the true love of Christ, and I desire heavenly blessings more than all others and delight in them. Ask me from the Lord for sincere contrition for my sins, so that I will spend the rest of my life in peace, repentance and fulfillment of the commandments of Christ. When the hour of my death approaches, you, O blessed Father, with the Blessed Virgin Mary, then hasten to help, protect me from the evil slander of the enemy, and grant me the heir to be a slave Yi villages, and together with you and with all the saints of God’s impregnable majesty to the Throne I will present myself and the Life-Giving, Consubstantial and Indivisible Trinity, glorifying and singing, ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer 3 to St. Basil the Great

Oh, great and glorious saint of Christ, God-wise teacher of the All Ecumenical Church, steadfast confessor and champion of Orthodoxy, all-blessed Father Basil! Look down from the heights of heaven upon us, who humbly fall before you, and beg the Lord Almighty, whose faithful servant you were on earth, to grant us the firm and unchanging preservation of our right faith, Church see holy obedience, correction of our lives, and in all needs, sorrows and their temptations provide quick help, patience and strength. Grant us your holy blessing, so that this autumn, this new summer and all the days pleasing to God, we will live in peace and repentance and in the Kingdom of Heaven we will be honored to be united with you and with all the saints Alive sing and glorify the original Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever centuries. Amen.

How does the Trisagion prayer help?

The Trisagion prayer is a powerful amulet that protects a person from various adversities. Many Orthodox Christians prefer to read it along with other daily prayers. According to church leaders, this is one of the most important prayers that an Orthodox person needs to know. Since prayer involves an appeal to the face of the Holy Trinity, it can help against any ailments and anxieties. In Orthodox chronicles, there are several cases of how, after reading this prayer, various miracles occurred, including the healing of diseases.

This prayer is popularly known as: “Holy God” and is mentioned more than once in church literature. In ancient times, it was often used as parting words on a long journey. It is also used during all church services, especially on holidays, including Easter, Trinity and Christmas. Therefore, Orthodox Christians say this prayer daily.

Prayer 4 to St. Basil the Great

Oh, great and most holy saint, Father Basil! Look down on us from the heights of heaven, servant of God (names), and pray to the Lord, whose faithful servant you were on earth, to grant us the firm and unchanging preservation of the right faith, obedience to the Church of the Holy Ones, correction of our life and in all needs, sorrows and temptations speedy help, patience and strength. Grant us your holy blessing, so that all the days of autumn we may live in peace and repentance, pleasing to God, and in the Kingdom of Heaven we will be honored together with you and with all the saints, the Life-Giving Trinity, the Father and S her and the Holy Spirit, sing and glorify forever and ever. Amen.

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Body position during prayer

During prayer, different postures and gestures are used.
You can pray standing, you can kneel, you can pray with your hands in front of you, sometimes you bow. In general, it is very important that the person praying also uses the body. You can, of course, pray while lying down, but this is only if you are sick. Or while traveling, we sit and silently pray. But in ordinary life, you need to adhere to prayers while standing, and if you find yourself in a service in the Temple, then you need to comply with the parishioners. Accustom yourself to Prayer and your life will certainly improve. Be grateful for what you have.

Kontakion to St. Gregory the Theologian, tone 33

With the theological language of your rhetorical plexus, destroying, more gloriously, / You adorned the Church with the garment of Orthodoxy, from above, / You have adorned the Church, / Whoever wears it, calls your children with us: // Rejoice, Father, most eminent in theology.

Translation: Having dissolved the web of rhetoricians with your theological language, glorious one, you have clothed the Church with the garment of Orthodoxy, woven from above, and, wearing it, She calls out to us, your children: “Rejoice, Father, the highest mind of theology.”

Prayer 1 to St. Gregory the Theologian

Oh, great and wise teacher in all the universe, blessed Father Gregory! Great are your deeds and labors, which you have accomplished for the glory of the Holy Church: you have been a steadfast confessor and a lamp of the faith of Christ on earth, illuminating the faithful with the light of the knowledge of God, scorching false teachings, and proclaiming the word of saving truth to the whole world. Now, having great boldness in heaven towards the Holy Trinity, guide us, who bow to you with humility, to firmly and invariably preserve the holy Orthodox faith until the end of our lives, and guard against lack of faith, doubt and hesitation in faith, so that we will not be seduced by those who oppose God and soul-destroying teachings in words. The spirit of holy zeal, with which you blazed, O glorious shepherd of the Church of Christ, kindle with your intercession also in us, whom Christ has appointed to be shepherds, so that we may diligently enlighten and confirm in the right faith the verbal flock of Christ. Ask, O merciful saint, from the Father of lights and everyone, every gift that is useful to everyone: growth for the infant in the Passion of God, chastity for the young, strengthening for the old and weak, consolation for the grieving, healing for the sick, understanding and correction for the erring, intercession for the offended, protection for orphans and widows. , to those who are tempted, grace-filled help, to those who have departed from this temporary life, to our fathers and brothers, blessed repose. To her, Holy One of God, mercifully look down from the Abodes of Heaven on us humble ones, overwhelmed by many temptations and misfortunes, and lead those who are devoted to the earth to the heights of heaven. Grant us, most good Father, your archpastoral and holy blessing, so that in this new summer and at all other times of our lives we will live in peace, repentance and obedience to the Holy Orthodox Church, diligently doing the commandments of Christ, fighting the good fight of faith, and so We will reach the Kingdom of Heaven, where with you and all the saints we vouchsafe the Holy Trinity, Consubstantial and Indivisible, to sing and glorify forever and ever. Amen.

Upon his return to Caesarea, Basil devoted himself to secular affairs, but the influence of his pious sister Macrina (future abbess) forced him to lead a more ascetic life and eventually, together with several comrades, leave the bustle of the city and settle on family lands in Pontus, where they formed a semblance of a monastic community. In 357, Vasily embarked on a long journey through Coptic monasteries. Feeling a calling to spiritual life, he decided to go to where asceticism flourished. For this purpose, the saint undertook a journey to Egypt, Syria and Palestine. and in 360 he accompanied the Cappadocian bishops to the synod in Constantinople.

In Egypt, Saint Basil spent a whole year with Archimandrite Porfiry, studying the theological works of the holy fathers and practicing fasting feats; then he visited the Monk Pachomius, who labored in the Thebaid desert, the Monks Macarius the Elder and Macarius of Alexandria, Paphnutius, Paul and other ascetics. After this, Saint Basil made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where he venerated the holy places of the Savior’s earthly life.

On his way back, Saint Basil spent some time in Antioch, where in 362 he was ordained a deacon by Bishop Meletius.

In Caesarea, Saint Basil led a strict monastic life. In 364 he was ordained presbyter by Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea. While fulfilling his ministry, Saint Basil preached zealously and tirelessly cared for the needs of his flock, thanks to which he gained high respect and love. Bishop Eusebius, due to human weakness, became envious of him and began to show his dislike. To avoid troubles, Saint Basil withdrew to the Pontic desert (the southern coast of the Black Sea), where he settled not far from the monastery founded by his mother and older sister. Here Saint Basil labored in ascetic labors together with his friend Saint Gregory the Theologian. Guided by the Holy Scriptures, they wrote regulations for monastic life, which were subsequently adopted by Christian monasteries.

After the death of Emperor Constantine the Great, under his son Constantius (337–361), the Arian false teaching, condemned at the 1st Ecumenical Council in 325, began to spread again and especially intensified under Emperor Valens (364–378), a supporter of the Arians. For Saints Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian, the hour came when the Lord called them from prayerful solitude into the world to fight heresy. Saint Gregory returned to Nazianzus, and Saint Basil returned to Caesarea, having heeded the written request of Bishop Eusebius, who was reconciled with him. Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea (author of the famous “Ecclesiastical History”) died in the arms of Saint Basil the Great, blessing him to be his successor.

Soon Saint Basil was elected by the Council of Bishops to the See of Caesarea (370). In difficult times for the Church, he showed himself as a fiery defender of the Orthodox faith, protecting it from heresies with his words and messages. Particularly noteworthy are his three books against the Arian false teacher Eunomius, in which St. Basil the Great taught about the Divinity of the Holy Spirit and the unity of His nature with the Father and the Son.

Through unceasing efforts of fasting and prayer, Saint Basil acquired from the Lord the gift of clairvoyance and miracle-working. Once, during a prayer service before the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos and Great Martyr Mercury (3rd century), Saint Basil received a revelation about the death of Emperor Julian the Apostate (361–363), who was trying to re-establish paganism. Saint Basil saw how the image of the Great Martyr Mercury disappeared, and when it reappeared on the icon, the spear of the Great Martyr was stained with blood. At this very time, Julian the Apostate was pierced by a spear and died in the Persian War.

When Emperor Valens (361–378) gave the Orthodox Church in Nicaea to the Arians, Saint Basil suggested resorting to God's judgment: handing over the church to the party (Orthodox or Arians) whose prayer would open its locked, sealed doors.

The Arians prayed for three days and three nights, but everything was in vain. After this, Saint Basil approached the church with the Orthodox clergy and people, and through the prayer of the saint, the doors of the temple opened.

There are many known cases of miraculous healings performed by St. Basil the Great. The power of Saint Basil’s prayers was so great that he could boldly ask the Lord for forgiveness for a sinner who had renounced Christ, leading him to sincere repentance. Through the prayers of the saint, many great sinners who despaired of salvation received forgiveness and were freed from their sins. So, for example, a certain noble woman, ashamed of her prodigal sins, wrote them down and gave the sealed scroll to Saint Basil. The saint prayed all night for the salvation of this sinner. In the morning, he gave her an unopened scroll, in which all sins were blotted out, except for one terrible sin. The saint advised the woman to go to the desert to the Monk Ephraim the Syrian. However, the monk, who personally knew and deeply revered Saint Basil, sent the repentant sinner back, saying that only Saint Basil was able to ask her for complete forgiveness from the Lord. Returning to Caesarea, the woman met a funeral procession with the tomb of St. Basil. In deep sorrow, she fell to the ground sobbing, throwing the scroll on the saint’s tomb. One of the clerics, wanting to see what was written on the scroll, took it and, unfolding it, saw a blank sheet; This is how the woman’s last sin was blotted out through the prayer of Saint Basil, which he performed posthumously.

While on his deathbed, the saint converted his Jewish doctor Joseph to Christ. The latter was sure that the saint would not be able to live until the morning, and said that otherwise he would believe in Christ and accept Baptism. The saint asked the Lord to delay his death.

The night passed and, to Joseph’s amazement, Saint Basil not only did not die, but, getting up from his bed, came to the temple, performed the sacrament of Baptism over Joseph, served the Divine Liturgy, gave Joseph communion, taught him a lesson, and then, saying goodbye to everyone, He went to the Lord with prayer without leaving the temple.

Not only Christians, but pagans and Jews gathered for the burial of St. Basil the Great. Saint Gregory the Theologian, whom Saint Basil, shortly before his death, blessed to accept the see of Constantinople, arrived to see off his friend.

During his short life (†379), Saint Basil left us many theological works: nine discourses on the Sixth Day, 16 discourses on various psalms, five books in defense of the Orthodox teaching about the Holy Trinity; 24 conversations on various theological topics; seven ascetic treatises; monastic rules; ascetic charter; two books about Baptism; a book about the Holy Spirit; several sermons and 366 letters to various persons.

Saint Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium (†394), in his funeral homily about Saint Basil, said: “He has always been and will be a most saving teacher for Christians.”

For his services to the Orthodox Church, Saint Basil is called the Great and is glorified as “the glory and beauty of the Church,” “the luminary and eye of the universe,” “the teacher of dogmas,” “the chamber of learning.” Saint Basil the Great is the heavenly patron of the enlightener of the Russian Land - the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir, named Vasily in Baptism. Saint Vladimir deeply revered his Angel and built several churches in Rus' in his honor. Saint Basil the Great, along with Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, has since ancient times enjoyed special veneration among the Russian believing people. A particle of the relics of St. Basil still remains in the Pochaev Lavra. The honorable head of Saint Basil is reverently kept in the Lavra of Saint Athanasius on Athos, and his right hand is in the altar of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Jerusalem. Read more…

Prayer 2 to St. Gregory the Theologian

Oh, great saint, Father Gregory, glorious teacher of the Ecumenical Church, all-zealous champion of the glory of the Most Holy Trinity, chosen confessor of the Mother of God and Her Immaculate Virginity, most luminous image of purity, humility and patience. Since I am a great sinner and unworthy of looking up to the heights of heaven, I humbly pray to you, the wise teacher of the Church of Christ, teach me to lead my life in such a God-fearing way, so that I will never take the path that is contrary to God’s command, deviate or be seduced. Protect and deliver me through your powerful intercession from the temptations of the world and the snares of the devil, just as you delivered from them the young man who retreated from our Sweetest Savior and fell into the power of Satan. Grant me the strength of my soul to be a zealous imitator of your lofty virtues: make me more right in faith, firm and unshakable, strengthen the faint-hearted me in patience and trust in the Lord, kindle in my heart the true love of Christ, so that I desire heavenly blessings above all others and enjoy them. Ask me from the Lord for sincere contrition for my sins, so that I will spend the rest of my life in peace, repentance and fulfillment of the commandments of Christ. When the hour of my death draws near, you, O blessed Father, with the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, then hasten to help, protect me from the evil slander of the enemy, and make me worthy of being the heir to be the villages of paradise, so that together with you and with all the saints of God’s impregnable Majesty I will appear before the Throne and I glorify and sing the Life-Giving, Consubstantial and Indivisible Trinity, ever and ever and ever. Amen.

On the history of the veneration of the Three Saints and the origin of their holiday

On January 30 (February 12, new style) the Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of the holy Ecumenical teachers and saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom. In Greece, since the time of Turkish rule, this is the Day of Education and Enlightenment, a holiday for all teachers and students, especially celebrated in universities. In Russia, in the home churches of theological schools and universities on this day, according to tradition, an unusual sequence is performed - many prayers and chants are sung in Greek.

The Three Saints lived in the 4th-5th centuries, at the crossroads of two cultures - giants, ancient and Byzantine, and stood at the center of the great ideological transformation that took place throughout the entire Roman Empire.
They witnessed the decisive moment for the fate of Christianity in the 4th century, the collision of pagan and Christian traditions, and the advent of a new era that completed the spiritual quest of late antique society. The old world was reborn in turmoil and struggle. The successive publication of a number of decrees on religious tolerance (311, 325), the prohibition of sacrifices (341), the closure of pagan temples and the ban on pain of death and confiscation of property to visit them (353) were powerless in the face of what immediately behind the church fence, the old pagan life began, pagan temples were still in operation, pagan teachers taught. Paganism wandered inertly through the empire, although like a living corpse, the decay of which began when the supporting hand of the state (381) withdrew from it. The pagan poet Pallas wrote: “if we are alive, then life itself is dead.” It was an era of general ideological disorder and extremes, conditioned by the search for a new spiritual ideal in the eastern mystical cults of the Orphics, Mithraists, Chaldeans, Sibbylists, Gnostics, in pure speculative Neoplatonic philosophy, in the religion of hedonism - carnal pleasure without boundaries - everyone chose their own path. It was an era in many ways similar to the modern one. It was in such a difficult time that the Three Saints had to preach the religion of selflessness, asceticism and high morality, take part in resolving the issue of the Holy Trinity and the fight against heresies of the 4th century, interpret the Holy Scriptures and make fiery speeches in memory of the martyrs and church holidays, and actively engage in public activities , head the episcopal sees of the Byzantine Empire. To this day, the Orthodox Church serves the Liturgy, the core of which is the anaphora (Eucharistic Canon) compiled by John Chrysostom and Basil the Great. We read the prayers that Basil the Great and John Chrysostom prayed during the morning and evening rules. Students and graduates of the classical department of the Faculty of Philology of the University can remember with joy in their hearts that both Gregory the Theologian and Basil the Great at one time also received a classical education at the University of Athens and studied ancient literature and were best friends. Gregory used to say jokingly: “By seeking knowledge, I found happiness... having experienced the same thing as Saul, who, in search of his father’s donkeys, gained a kingdom (Greek: basileivan).” All three stood at the origins of a new literary tradition and participated in the search for a new poetic image. Later writers often drew images from their works. Thus, the lines of the first irmos of the Nativity canon of Cosmas of Maium (8th century) “Christ is born, glorify. Christ from heaven, hide it. Christ on earth, ascend. Sing to the Lord, all the earth...”, which sounds in churches starting from the preparatory period of the Nativity Fast for the holiday, are borrowed from the sermon of Gregory the Theologian on Epiphany. The nicknames of the Three Hierarchs give them the most accurate personal definitions: Great - the greatness of a teacher, educator, theorist; Theologian (only three ascetics in the entire Christian history were awarded this title - the beloved disciple of Christ, St. Evangelist John, St. Gregory and St. Simeon the New, who lived in the 11th century) - the divine inspiration of a poet of sorrow and suffering and a theologian of life rather than dogmatist; Chrysostom is the gold of the lips of an ascetic and martyr, an ardent and caustic speaker, talented and brilliant. The life and works of the Three Saints help to understand how the interaction of the ancient heritage with the Christian faith took place in the minds of the intellectual elite of Roman society, how the foundations were laid for the unity of faith and reason, science, and education, which did not contradict true piety. In no case did the saints deny secular culture, but they called for studying it, “like bees,” who do not sit on all flowers equally, and from those that are attacked, they do not try to take everything away, but, taking what is suitable for their work , everything else is left untouched” (Basily the Great. To young men. On how to use pagan writings).

Although the Three Saints lived in the 4th century, their common holiday began to be celebrated much later - only from the 11th century. The memory of each of them was celebrated separately before, but in the 11th century this story happened. According to the narrative - the synaxarion, placed in the modern Greek and Slavic service Menaions on January 30, during the reign of the Byzantine emperor Alexei Komnenos, in 1084 (according to another version 1092), a dispute broke out in the capital of the Byzantine Empire - Constantinople about the significance of the Three Hierarchs among "the most educated and skillful people in eloquence." Some put St. Basil the Great above, others Gregory the Theologian, and others - John Chrysostom. Then these hierarchs appeared to John Mavropod, Metropolitan of Euchaitis, an outstanding hymn writer of that time (about two hundred of his canons of saints have been preserved in manuscripts. Today we read his canon to the Guardian Angel before Communion), declared their equality before the Lord, and ordered to celebrate their memory on one day and compose hymns for the common following. After the vision, Mavropod composed a service for January 30, because all three were remembered precisely in this month: Basil the Great - 1.01, Gregory the Theologian - 25.01, the transfer of the relics of John Chrysostom - 27.01. The story of the compiler of the synaxarion is doubtful among some scholars. It does not appear in other Byzantine sources; Moreover, it is unknown whether Mavropod was alive during the reign of Alexius Comnenus. However, this event has already entered the treasury of Church Tradition.

Three saints in Byzantine literary sources

The Three Saints were the most beloved and revered hierarchs in Byzantium. From the surviving sources, literary, visual, liturgical, it follows that by the 10th-11th centuries the idea of ​​them as a single whole had already been formed. In "Miracles of St. George" tells about the Saracen's vision of Christ being sacrificed during the Divine Liturgy in the famous Church of the Great Martyr. George in Ampelonne. To the Saracen’s accusation of slaughtering a baby, the priest replied that even “great and wonderful fathers, lights and teachers of the church, such as the holy and great Basil, the glorious Chrysostom and Gregory the theologian, did not see this terrible and terrible sacrament.” The Bulgarian clergyman Kozma the Presbyter (10th - early 11th centuries) wrote in his “Word on Heretics and Teachings from Divine Books”: “Imitate those who went before you, in your order of saints the father of the bishop. I remember Gregory, and Vasily, and John. and so on. Theirs is the same sadness and sorrow for people that existed, whoever confesses it.” For John Mavropod (11th century), the Three Saints are a very special theme, to which the “Praise”, poetic epigrams, and two song canons are devoted. In the following centuries, writers and prominent church hierarchs never tired of remembering the Three Saints: such as Theodore Prodromus (12th century); Theodore Metochites, Nikephoros, Patriarch of Constantinople, Herman, Patriarch of Constantinople (XIII century); Philotheus, Patriarch of Constantinople, Matthew Kamariot, Philotheus, Bishop of Selymvria, Nicholas Kavasila, Nikephoros Callistus Xanthopoulos (XIV century).

Three Saints in liturgical books: Menaion, Synaxarion, Typikon

The memory of the Three Saints has been celebrated in Greek liturgical books since the 1st half of the 12th century. - for example, in the Charter of the Constantinople Monastery of Pantocrator (1136), founded by Emperor John II Komnenos and his wife Irene, the rules for lighting the temple on the feast of “Saints Basil, the Theologian and Chrysostomos” are reported. Several dozen Greek handwritten Menaions of the 12th–14th centuries, containing the service to the Three Saints, have survived in the world; some of them also contain the “Praise” of Mavropod. The synaxarion is found only in two, dating back to the 14th century.

Images of the Three Saints

Images of the Three Saints have been known since the 11th century. One of the epigrams of Mavropod describes the icon of the Three Hierarchs, presented to a certain bishop Gregory. Another icon of the Three Saints is mentioned in the Charter of the Constantinople Monastery of the Mother of God Kecharitomeni, founded by Empress Irene Duqueney in the 12th century.

The first surviving image of the Three Saints is in the Psalter, made by the scribe of the Studian monastery in Constantinople, Theodore, in 1066, now part of the collection of the British Museum. By the second half of the 11th century. refers to a miniature of the Lectionary (book of biblical readings) from the Dionysios Monastery on Mount Athos, in which the Three Saints lead a host of saints. In Byzantine temple decoration there are images of the Three Hierarchs in holy rank in the altar apse from the time of the Byzantine emperor Constantine Monomakh (1042-1055): for example, in the Church of Sophia of Ohrid (1040-1050), in the Palatine Chapel in Palermo (1143-1154). With the spread of the synaxar legend in the 14th century. The appearance of a unique iconographic plot “The Vision of John Mavropod” is associated with the appearance of John Euchaitsky in front of the Three Hierarchs sitting on thrones in the Church of Hodegetria, or Afendiko, in Mystras (Peloponnese, Greece), the painting of which dates back to 1366.

Three saints on Slavic soil

In the month words of the South Slavic, i.e. Bulgarian and Serbian Gospels include the memory of the Three Hierarchs from the beginning of the 14th century, and in the Old Russian ones - from the end of the 14th century. The “praise” of Mavropod and the service with the synaxar find themselves on South Slavic soil in the 14th century, and on Russian soil at the turn of the 14th-15th centuries. At the same time, the first images appeared - the Pskov icon of the Three Saints with St. Paraskeva (XV century). In the XIV-XV centuries. There are dedications of temples to the Three Saints in Rus' (for example, the first temple of the Three Saints in Kulishki existed since 1367 with this dedication).

To the origin of the holiday

The epigrams and canons of Mavropod, dedicated to the Three Hierarchs, speak of the equality of the hierarchs among themselves, their struggle for the triumph of church dogmas, and their rhetorical gift. The three saints are similar to the Holy Trinity and correctly teach about the Holy Trinity - “In the one Trinity you carefully theologize the non-birth of the Father, the birth of the Son and the one procession of the Spirit.” They crush heresies - the audacity of heretical movements “melts like wax in the face of fire” of the saint’s speeches. Both in the “Praise” and in the canons, the Three Hierarchs are depicted as a kind of dogmatic all-weapon of the Orthodox Church; the author calls their teachings “the third testament.” Appeal to their Trinitarian theology, i.e. the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, can be considered in the context of the schism of 1054, the separation of the Western (Catholic) Church from the Universal Church, one of the innovations of which was the Filioque (“and from the Son” - a Catholic addition to the Creed). The instructions of the canons and “Praise” on the preservation of the Church and the cessation of heretical movements by the saints, the remembrance of their numerous “labors and illnesses” that they endured for the Church “fighting with the East and West” i.e. can be understood as the use of the dogmatic writings of the saints in the fight against the errors of those who latinize and misunderstand the relationships within the Holy Trinity. The key to the solution, it seems, can be found in the polemics between the Eastern Church and the Western, so-called. anti-Latin polemic of the 11th century. The authors of anti-Latin polemical treatises often confirm what is said with quotations from these Holy Fathers; disrespect for the Three Saints is one of the accusations brought against Latinizers. Thus, Michael Cerularius, Patriarch of Constantinople, in his letter to Peter, Patriarch of Antioch, speaks about the Latinists: “The saints and our great father and the teacher of Great Basil and the theologian Gregory, John Chrysostom do not compare with the saints or accept their teachings.” In “The Contest with Latina” by St. George, Met. Kyiv (1062-1079), in the letter of Nicephorus (1104-1121), Metropolitan. Kievsky, to Vladimir Monomakh, the Latins are also accused of lack of respect for the Three Saints and disregard for their church teachings. In “The Tale of Simeon of Suzdal about the Eighth (Florentine) Council,” at which the Union (unification) of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches was signed in 1439, St. Mark, Met. The Ephesian, who defended the orthodox position, is compared by the author of the Tale with the Three Saints: “If only you had seen that the honest and holy Metropolitan Marco of Ephesus speaks to the pope and to all Latin, you would cry and rejoice just like I did. As you see the honorable and holy Mark of Ephesus, just as Saint John Chrysostom and Basil of Caesarea and Gregory the Theologian were before him, so now Saint Mark is like them.”

So, the image of the Three Hierarchs, which arose from the depths of popular veneration, could be finally formed and officially introduced into the liturgical church year in the court circles of Constantinople in the third quarter of the 11th century. as one of the measures to combat Latinism. The teachings of the Three Hierarchs, their theological writings and they themselves were perceived by the Church as a solid foundation of the Orthodox faith, necessary in days of spiritual vacillation and disorder. An example of their own struggle against contemporary heresies of the 4th century. became relevant in the church situation of the 11th century. Therefore, a holiday was established, canons, poetic epigrams, “Praise” of Mavropod were composed, and the first images appeared. Perhaps it was this plot that became an additional reason for the establishment of the Feast of the Three Hierarchs in Byzantium during the reign of Alexius Komnenos at the end of the 11th century, in addition to what is set out in the later version of the author of the synaxarion (14th century), thus explaining the cessation of disputes about the rhetorical merits of hierarchs.

Prayer 3 to St. Gregory the Theologian

Oh, great and glorious saint of Christ, God-wise teacher of the whole Ecumenical Church, steadfast confessor and champion of Orthodoxy, blessed Father Gregory! Look down from the heights of heaven upon us, who humbly fall before you, and beg the Lord Almighty, whose faithful servant you were on earth, to grant us firm and unchangeable preservation of the right faith, obedience to the Church of the Saints, correction of our lives, and in all needs, sorrows and when they are tempted, there is immediate help, patience and strength. Grant us your holy blessing, so that this new summer will dawn upon us, and all the days of our lives will be pleasing to God, in peace and repentance, and in the Kingdom of Heaven we will be honored together with you and with all the saints of the Life-Giving Trinity to sing and glorify, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

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The power of prayer in everyone's life

Prayer carries a very deep meaning. With its help, we can thank the Lord, praise him, ask for help or forgiveness. At the moment of asking for forgiveness, we thus confess our sins, realize them and cleanse ourselves. When we begin to praise God, it means that we rejoice in life, the world, what we have, what we breathe and live.

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It’s not uncommon for us to ask for wishes. At this moment we penetrate deep into ourselves and find our true needs. With the help of prayer, a person can return to his real self, the way he was originally created.

But prayer is not an ordinary retelling from memory or a selection of words, it is something that comes from the soul. And that prayer can be counted, which was said from the depths. This is only possible when we begin to understand the meaning of it in our lives and only then we begin to take reading it more seriously.

Prayer text

Below we provide the full text of the Trisagion prayer in Russian with accents:

History of the Trisagion Prayer

The more often we pass prayer through ourselves, the more we will be spiritually filled and connected to spiritual life.

Every person who prays should not think about the result of prayer. At this moment you need to turn all your thoughts and direct them to God. He is the source of everything for all of us. Strength, life and various benefits. He himself knows to whom, when and what to give. And he also takes it only when, in his opinion, it’s time.

In order to be a Christian, 5 minutes in the morning and evening devoted to prayer will be enough. But this is possible if it is pronounced from the heart, with feeling and understanding. The thought during prayer must correspond to the words; a deep understanding of the spoken words will always be heard.

History of the Trisagion Prayer

• This prayer is always read three times in the name of the well-known Holy Trinity. “Angel's Song” is another name for this prayer.
• Christians began to pray to the three saints after the earthquake in Constantinople, during which many houses and settlements were damaged.
• Holy God is the first person of God the Father. Holy Mighty - Son of God. He is the same as the Father - omnipotent. The Holy Immortal is the Holy Spirit, who is not only eternal in itself, but gives life to all living beings.
• The Trisagion prayer is called because each word “holy” is repeated three times.



Troparion to St. John Chrysostom, tone 84

From your lips, like the brightness of fire, grace has shone forth,/ enlightened the universe:/ you have not won the treasures of the world through the love of money,/ show us the height of humility./ But by your words, punishing, Father John the Evil toast, // pray to the Word of Christ God to save our souls.

Translation: The grace that shone like a fiery torch from your lips enlightened the universe; You have collected a treasure of non-possession for the world, you have shown us the height of humility. But, instructing us with your words, Father John Chrysostom, pray to the Word, Christ God, for the salvation of our souls.

Origins of prayer

The Trisagion Prayer is one of the most ancient prayers that has reached our time in an almost unchanged version. Its origin is attributed to the ancient Christian church, according to the instructions of John Chrysostom. The first version that came into use was in Greek, but soon the text of the Trisagion prayer in Russian appeared thanks to the Archbishop of Constantinople Saint Proclus in 437-447, so it is not known for sure how long the Greek translation was used in Russian Orthodox churches.

According to church traditions, in 438, a few weeks before Easter, a strong earthquake occurred in Constantinople, right during the procession of the cross through the streets of the city. At that moment, one little boy from the crowd soared into the sky and heard the singing of angels. The angels told him a prayer - the Trisagion, which he told everyone about as soon as he descended to earth. All the people, together with the Patriarch, immediately began to sing it, adding the words “have mercy on us.” After this, the earthquake immediately stopped. Having learned about such a miracle and divine deliverance from the earthquake, Empress Pulcheria issued a decree that the Trisagion prayer should become part of daily worship.

But this is not the only version of the origin of the prayer, since other church sources say that the prayer occurred in the 5th century AD, during the Fourth Ecumenical Council. According to some ancient monks, including the 16th-century monk Job, the prayer originated from a simplification of common church chants.

It is not known for certain which of these versions is realistic. But be that as it may, the text of the prayer was changed several times over the years until it reached our time in its form.

Kontakion to St. John Chrysostom, tone 65

You have received Divine grace from Heaven/ and through your lips you have taught us all/ to worship the one God in the Trinity,/ John Chrysostom, the all-blessed saint,/ we deservedly praise you // for you protégé, like a Divine manifestation.

Translation: You have received Divine grace from heaven and through your lips you teach everyone to worship the one God in the Trinity, John Chrysostom, all-blessed, reverend, we duly praise you: for you are our mentor, expounding the Divine.

Prayer 1 to St. John Chrysostom

Oh, great saint John Chrysostom! You received many and varied gifts from the Lord and, like a good and faithful servant, you multiplied all the talents given to you, for this reason you truly were the universal teacher, like everyone in Age and every rank are learned from you. We, sinners (names), each having our own gift, the unity of the spirit in the union of the world, are not imams, but we are vainglorious, irritating each other, envious of each other; Therefore, for the sake of the gift, ours, divided not into peace and salvation, but into enmity and condemnation, appears to us. Moreover, we fall to you, the saint of God, overwhelmed by discord, and in contrition of heart we ask: with your prayers we will drive away from our hearts all malice, ill will, pride and envy, we divide us Yes, in many places we may remain one body of the church without restraint, and according to your word Let us prayerfully love each other and with one mind confess the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, Consubstantial and Indivisible, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer 2 to St. John Chrysostom4

Oh, great saint John Chrysostom! You received many and varied gifts from the Lord and, like a good and faithful servant, you multiplied all the talents given to you: for this reason you truly were the universal teacher, like everyone in Age and every rank are learned from You. You are the image of obedience for the youth, the luminary of chastity for the young, the mentor of hard work for the husband, the teacher of kindness for the old, the rule of abstinence for the monk, the leader of prayer inspired by God, the monk. to those who seek wisdom - an enlightener, to those who seek good words - an inexhaustible source of living words, to those who do good - a star of mercy, a wise image for rulers, an inspirer of zeal for righteousness, an inspirer of boldness for the sake of truth, a teacher of patience for the sake of the persecuted: you were all, and you saved all. Over all of these you have acquired love, which is the union of perfection, and by that, as by the power of the Divine, you have united all the gifts in one person, and here you love Oh, divided reconciliator, in the interpretation of the words of the apostles you preached to all the faithful. We are sinners, we each have our own gifts, we are not imams of the unity of the spirit in the union of the world, we are vain, irritating each other, envious of each other: for this reason, for the sake of the gift We are divided not into peace and salvation, but into enmity and condemnation. Moreover, we fall to you, the saint of God, overwhelmed by discord, and in contrition of heart we ask: with your prayers, drive away from our hearts all pride and envy that separates us, so that in many From now on there will be one church body, so that according to your words of prayer we will love each other and with one mind we confess the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, Consubstantial and Indivisible, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.