The Great Do Not Stand Alone

Thus we see that these great bishops, theologians and preachers were not alone in their efforts. They were in a real sense the products of a community of faith, devotion and learning; as well as its leaders and teachers. In contemplating the lives and works of Basil, Gregory and John we realize, more than anything else, how a small group of faithful people can do much for the edification of the Church and the salvation of souls. We see also how no one can live in isolation, how even the greatest of the saints needed other saints to inspire and encourage them, to instruct and support them in their service. We see as well that intelligence and learning are not enough. Peoples’ minds must be devoted to God and to divine wisdom and truth, but one must love God not only with all one’s mind, but with all one’s heart, soul and strength as well. The three holy hierarchs were men of ascetic discipline and fervent prayer. They were men of the Church, and not of the academy. And they were men who were willing not only to preach, but to practice what they preached; not only to talk but to work; and not only to work but to suffer for the Word of God Who came himself into the world not only to preach, but to suffer and die for the sake of the salvation of all. The times in which the three hierarchs lived were terrible times for the Church, certainly not less dark and depressing than the present times, and perhaps even more so in many respects. But these men, and the women who stood with them, were able to persevere faithfully to the end. It is because of these people in the past that we have Christian life in the Church today.

~ Fr. Thomas Hopko, The Winter Pascha, commenting on the Three Holy Hierarchs, St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom (feast day January 30)