The feast of the Three Hierarchs, Our Holy Fathers, Basil the Great, Gregory the Great, and John Chrysostom, is the feast day of the Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary.  This year, the seminary was blessed to have the presence and service of three hierarchs!  Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, and our own Bishop Luke of Syracuse, presided at the festive services.

            The chanting of the services was done by the entire seminary choir, under the direction of Fr. Deacon Nicholas Kotor.  What was notable this year was that under the auspices of the newly enacted “Living Liturgy” Program, the chanting was done in both kleroses both for the Vigil and also for the Divine Liturgy.  This greatly added to the solemnity of the services.  What is unique in our celebration of the feast of the Three Hierarchs is the use of several Greek melodies and even the liturgical Greek language for many of the hymns.  This, as it were, help connect us with the Byzantine times of the holy bishop saints.

            Due to COVID regulations, the seminary was not able to have its traditional afternoon tea for all, however the rector of the seminary, His Grace Bishop Luke, did invite the visiting hierarchs for a private tea to discuss seminary developments.