During the reign of Emperor Alexios Komnenos, who ruled in Constantinople from 1081 to 1118, a dispute broke out, dividing men who were enlightened in matters of faith and diligent in acquiring virtues into three camps. It was about three saints and prominent fathers of the Church: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom. Some argued for St. Basil to be preferred to the other two, because he was able to explain the mysteries of nature like no other and was elevated by virtues to an angelic height. His supporters said there was nothing base or earthly about him, he was the organizer of monasticism, the head of the entire Church in the fight against heresies, a strict and demanding pastor regarding the purity of morals. Therefore, they concluded, St. Basil stands above St. Basil. John Chrysostom, who by nature was more inclined to forgive sinners.
The other party, on the contrary, defended Chrysostom, objecting to his opponents that the illustrious Bishop of Constantinople was no less than St. Peter the Great. Basil was committed to fighting vices, calling sinners to repentance and encouraging people to perfect themselves according to the gospel commandments. Unsurpassed in eloquence, the Golden-mouthed pastor watered the Church with a real river of sermons. In them, he interpreted the word of God and showed how to apply it in everyday life, and he managed to do this better than two other Christian teachers.
The third group was in favor of recognizing St. Peter as the main one. St. Gregory the Theologian for the greatness, purity and depth of his language. They said that svt. Gregory, who mastered the wisdom and eloquence of the Greek world best of all, reached the highest degree in contemplation of God, therefore none of the people was able to expound the doctrine of the Holy Trinity so perfectly.
Thus, each party defended one father over the other two, and this confrontation soon captured all the residents of the capital. No longer thinking about respecting the saints, people indulged in endless arguments and squabbles. There was no end in sight to the differences between the parties.
Then one night the three saints appeared in a dream to St. Nicholas. John Mavropod, Metropolitan of Evkhaitis (October 5), first one at a time, and then three at a time. In one voice, they told him: "As you can see, we are all together with God and no quarrels or rivalries separate us. Each of us, to the extent of circumstances and inspiration that was given to him by the Holy Spirit, wrote and taught what was necessary for the salvation of people. There is neither the first, nor the second, nor the third among us. If you invoke the name of one of us, the other two are also present next to him. Therefore, we told those who quarrel not to create schisms in the Church because of us, because during our lifetime we devoted all our efforts to establishing unity and harmony in the world. Then combine our memories into one holiday and make a service for it, including hymns dedicated to each of us, in accordance with the art and science that the Lord has given you. Give this service to Christians so that they celebrate it every year. If they honor us in this way — united before God and in God, then we promise that we will intercede in our common prayer for their salvation." After these words, the saints ascended to heaven, embraced by an ineffable light, addressing each other by name.
Then svt. John Mavropod gathered the people without delay and reported the revelation. Since everyone respected the metropolitan for his virtue and admired the power of his eloquence, the contending parties reconciled. Everyone began to ask John to immediately begin to compose the service of the common feast of the three saints. Having carefully considered the issue, John decided to dedicate the thirtieth day of January to this celebration, as if to seal this month, during which all three saints are remembered separately.
As it is sung in numerous troparia from this magnificent service, the three saints, the "earthly trinity," different as individuals but united by the grace of God, commanded us in their writings and by the example of their lives to honor and glorify the Most Holy Trinity, God One in three Persons. These lamps of the Church spread the light of the true faith throughout the earth, despite dangers and persecution, and left us, their descendants, a holy legacy. Through their creations, we can also achieve supreme bliss and eternal life in the presence of God along with all the saints.
The feast of the three Saints turns out to be a memory of all the fathers of the Church and all the examples of evangelical perfection that the Holy Spirit generates at all times and in all places, so that new prophets and new apostles may appear, guides of our souls to heaven, comforters of the people and fiery pillars of prayer, on which the Church rests, strengthening in truth.