THE PARAGON Monday January 30/February 12 ns 2024 † The Three Great Hierarchs, Holy Hieromartyr Hippólytos of Rome - Saints: Heb. 13:7-16; St. Matt. 5:14-19 - HYMNS OF PRAISE - QUOTES FROM THE HOLY HIERARCHS

Why the Paragon?

The Paragon was created to facilitate access to the daily commemoration of the saints, the Holy Scripture readings, and the writings of the holy  fathers and mothers and thereby provide a proper climate traditionally essential to the commencement of daily prayer.

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Today we commemorate

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 The Three Great Hierarchs 

Saint Basil the Great
Saint Gregory the Theologian
Saint John Chrysostomos 

Holy Hieromartyr Hippolytos of Rome

Each have their own feast day.

St. Basil the Great, January 1;

St. Gregory the Theologian, January 25;

St. John Chrysostomos, January 27. 

This combined feast day, January 30, was instituted in the eleventh century during the reign of Emperor Alexius Comnenus. At one time a debate arose among the people concerning who of the three is the greatest? Some extolled Basil because of his purity and courage; others extolled Gregory for his unequaled depth and lofty mind in theology; still others extolled Chrysostomos because of his eloquence and clarity in expounding the Faith. Thus some were called Basilians, others Gregorgians, and the third were called Johannites. This debate was settled by Divine Providence to the benefit of the Church and to an even greater glory of the three saints. Bishop John of Euchaita (June 14) had a vision in a dream: At first, all three of these saints appeared to him separately in great glory and indescribable beauty, and after that all three appeared together. They said to him, "As you see, we are one in God and there is nothing contradictory in us; neither is there a first or a second among us." The saints also advised Bishop John that he write a common service for them and to order a common feast day of celebration. Following this wonderful vision, the debate was settled in this manner: January 30 would be designated as the common feast of these three hierarchs. The Greeks consider this feast not only an ecclesiastical feast but their greatest national school holiday.

Hebrews

13:7-16

KJV

7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Saint Matthew

5:14-19

KJV

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

The Three Great Hierarchs

Hymn of Praise

Fasting and Faith - Basil,

Theology - Gregory,

Acts of Charity - Chrysostomos,

Golden mouths, mouths of honey!

All laborers of one work;

Three separately - three angels,

The three together as God is one,

No one is the main one, no one is secondary.

In eternity, they all agree,

Invoke one, all three help,

Hymn to one, all three hear,

Glorify one, all three rejoice.

Three men, one whole;

Three hierarchs, one deed;

Three names, one glory;

To all three of them,

Christ is the Head

“All who have lived according to God still live unto God, though they have departed this life. For this reason, God is called the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, since He is the God, not of the dead, but of the living (cf. Mt. 22:32).”
+ St. Gregory the Theologian, Oration XXI

Pay attention carefully. After the sin comes the shame; courage follows repentance. Did you pay attention to what I said? Satan upsets the order; he gives the courage to sin and the shame to repentance.
+ St. John Chrysostomos

“Troubles are usually the brooms and shovels that smooth the road to a good man’s fortune; and many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head, and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away hunger.”
+ St. Basil the Great

TOMORROW ON THE PARAGON

And a quote from St Porphyrios of Kafsokalivia on PREPARATION FOR PRAYING 

Its true - it sounds the same so the priest thinks its "Elvis save us and have mercy on us."

 but we all know its, "Help us..." so he says: