Orthodox icon | Sts. Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus and John Chrysostom | Silver oklad | 24884

Saint Basil “the Great”, born around 330 and died January 1, 379 in Caesarea in Cappadocia, now Kayseri in Turkey, was the brother of Gregory of Nyssa, Peter of Sebaste and Macrina “the younger”, son of an eminent and devout family: his father was Basil the Elder, son of Macrina “the Elder”; his mother was Emmelia. After a strictly religious upbringing, he received his education in Caesarea, Constantinople – today’s Istanbul, and in Athens. As an ascetic, bishop and church teacher, he was one of the outstanding figures in Christianity of the 4th century and is one of the most important figures in the church at all. He, his brother Gregory of Nyssa, and their mutual friend Gregory of Nazianzus are referred to as the three Cappadocian Church Fathers. Along with Gregory of Nazianzus and John Chrysostom, he is one of the three holy hierarchs. He is considered the patron saint of children and monks from the Eastern Church, as well as seafaring. Memorial Day: January 1 and January 30.

Saint Gregory of Nazianzus “the theologian” was born around 330 and died on January 25 around 390 on the Arianz estate near Nazianzus, today probably the monastery valley near Güzelyurt in Turkey. He was bishop of Sasima in Cappadocia, briefly metropolitan of Constantinople and with Basil the Great and his brother Gregory of Nyssa one of the three Cappadocian fathers, also known as the Cappadocian triumvirate. All three decisively shaped the theology of the 4th century with the elaboration of the doctrine of the Trinity. He is one of the four great Greek Doctors of the Ancient Church and one of only three Church Fathers to be officially given the title “the theologian”. Along with Basil the Great and John Chrysostom, he is one of the three holy hierarchs. Memorial Day: January 25 and September 21. He is considered to be the patron of poets.

Saint John Chrysostom “of Antioch” was born around 345 in Antioch and died on September 14, 407 in Comana Pontica, today ruins in Gümenek near Tokat in Turkey. He was a presbyter in Antioch and archbishop of Constantinople and is considered one of the greatest Christian preachers. In the 6th century he was given the nickname “Chrysostom” (“Golden Mouth”), by which he is known today. In the Eastern Orthodox Churches, he has been venerated as one of the three holy hierarchs along with Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzus since the 10th century. For Western Christianity he is one of the four Doctors of the East (along with Athanasius of Alexandria and the mentioned Basil and Gregory). Revered as an ascetic, he was known for his gift for public speaking as well as for his opposition to the abuse of church and state authority. Memorial Day: January 30 and November 13. Patron of prayers, preachers, and speakers.

Silver oklad, hallmarked, 84. Silver, A.C (unknown master).