On the feast of the Three Holy Hierarchs: St Basil the Great, St Gregory the Theologian and St John Chrysostom, on 30 January 2016, the Patriarch Justinian Faculty of Orthodox Theologyin Bucharest celebrated its spiritual patrons, in the presence of His Beatitude Romanian Patriarch Daniel.
The Three Holy Hierarchs are the spiritual patrons of the institutions of orthodox theological education from all around the world. This day was established in 1936, at the International Congress of the Theology Faculties held in Athens.
The male choir of the Patriarch Justinian Faculty of Orthodox Theologyin Bucharest performed a religious concert in the Dumitru Stăniloae Aula, within the educational institution. Musician Grigore Leşe was also present at the event and interpreted several music pieces.
Afterwards, the 2015 Year Book of the Faculty was launched.
În his sermon, the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church said that this book should be recommended to parishes as well because it contains studies regarding the education of the young people. His Beatitude also noted that Three Holy Hierarchs represent a model of missionary hierarchs who combine faith with culture.
“Today is a day full of joy, and of course it is a great joy because the year/book of the Faculty has been launched. It contains many studies about the education of young people, so it must/should be recommended to our Parishes because it has many important things for the education of the young people following the cooperation between family, school and the Church. This feast dedicated to the Three Holy Hierarchs didn’t exist until the 9th century and it was established following a vision, a dream, a divine message. It is a feast established at the request and the command of the Three Holy Hierarchs themselves. This was necessary for the restauration of ecclesial communion. In 1936, at the first Congress of the theological schools it was decided that Three Holy Hierarchs - examples, teachers and professors of faith and of Christian life – would become spiritual patrons of all the Orthodox theological schools. The main argument was this: they are a example of missionary hierarchs who combine faith with culture. This feast teaches us that all people of great worth are important for the entire Church”.
For the teachers and the theology students in Bucharest the feast has begun with the Divine Liturgy officiated by His Grace Varlaam of Ploieşti, Assistant Bishop to the Patriarch, surrounded by an assembly of professors from the educational institution.
After the Divine Liturgy a memorial service was officiated for the former professors and students of the educational institution who passed away to the Lord.
