Romanian Patriarch Daniel has said that the veneration of St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom is closely connected not only with historical memory, but with issues that remain vital for modern society, including the unity of the Church, the preservation of faith, and the strength of the Christian family.

Speaking during a divine service in Bucharest, the Patriarch noted that the common feast day of the Three Holy Hierarchs was established in response to internal disputes among Christians over the prominence of individual saints. “The Church concluded that the saints do not compete with one another, but live in communion of love and mutual complementarity,” Patriarch Daniel said, adding that this principle is especially relevant in today’s polarized social climate, according to the Romanian Orthodox Church’s official website, basilica.ro.

Patriarch Daniel emphasized that the three saints are united not only by their theological authority, but also by their background. All three were raised in devout Christian families and received a strong education. He stressed that the family environment played a decisive role in shaping their faith, worldview, and ability to take responsibility for the Church during times of crisis and conflict.

Reflecting on their ministry, the Patriarch underlined that the Three Holy Hierarchs combined a strict spiritual life with active social engagement. They defended the unity of the Church, opposed heresies, and called for mercy and care for those in need. “They were not only theologians, but also pastors who responded to the real suffering of people,” he said.

The Feast of the Three Holy Hierarchs is also traditionally regarded as a day celebrating Orthodox theological education, as the saints are honored as spiritual patrons of theological schools and universities. To mark the occasion, a liturgy was held at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Bucharest, attended by students and hierarchs of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

In his sermon after the service, Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești highlighted that the example of the saints — and of their families — shows that holiness is not formed in isolation, but within a living environment of responsibility, education, and personal choice. The families of the Three Holy Hierarchs, he said, can serve as a model for contemporary Christians, especially amid what he described as a crisis of traditional values.