In his encyclical in celebration of the Feast Day of the Three Hierarchs and the Day of Greek Letters, January 30th, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, said:
“Perhaps no other element of the Hellenic philosophical legacy was more readily accepted by the Fathers of the Church than the rule, ’Know thyself’. The Three Hierarchs whom we celebrate this day – Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint John Chrysostom–all practiced and preached self-knowledge as an essential aspect of true spirituality: the beginning of sanctification and the basis for heartfelt doxology to God.”

Celebrated annually throughout the United States by the Archdiocese and its institutions, Three Hierarchs Day was first celebrated in the year 1100 A.D. when the Byzantine Emperor Alexiοs Comninos proclaimed that January 30th be set aside to honor these men whose writings contributed to the formulation of Greek Orthodoxy, Greek Culture and Education.

The Archdiocesan Office of Greek Education has announced that several events in observance of Greek Letters and Culture will be taking place in metropolitan New York.
Thursday, January 29 -7:00 p.m.

Archbishop Demetrios will preside at the Great Vespers of the Three Hierarchs. At the Three Hierarchs Church (1724 Avenue P, Brooklyn,) followed by a presentation by the students of the community’s schools in celebration of “Greek Letters”.

Friday, January 30 – 9:00 a.m.
His Eminence will celebrate the Divine Liturgy for teachers and students (grades 5-12) of the Greek American Day Schools at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity (319 E. 74th St, NYC). At the conclusion of the Liturgy, the Archbishop will bestow The Three Hierarchs Award of Excellence on the students who achieved a score of 100 in the 2003 Comprehensive Examination of Modern Greek.

Saturday, January 31 – 4:00 p.m.
His Eminence will cut the traditional Vasilopita at St. Demetrios Church (84-35 152 St., Jamaica) to honor the administrators and teachers of the day and afternoon schools. Immediately following, students from the eleven parochial day schools and the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Youth Choir will offer a program in celebration of Greek Letters and Culture.

Sunday, February 1 – 1:00 p.m.
The Hellenic Cultural Center of Astoria will celebrate Greek Letters and Arts and commemorate its 18th Anniversary at a gala luncheon Terrace on the Park (52-11 111 St., Flushing).
Special honorees will be Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta and Mr. and Mrs. Demetrios Kaloidis.

Wednesday, February 4 – 6:00 p.m.
Archbishop Demetrios will deliver the inaugural lecture in a series of lectures on Orthodoxy in America at Fordham University (McGinley Center, Ballroom, Rose Hill Campus in the Bronx).
His Eminence will speak on “The Dynamics of the Orthodox Faith in America”. A reception will follow in the Student Lounge. For reservations call (212) 570-3552 by Wednesday, January 28th.