St. John Chrysostom was a fourth century Archbishop of Constantinople. He was imbued with an extraordinary gift for preaching; a charisma which earned him the title “The Golden Mouthed”. Because of his charismatic sermons and the beautiful poetic prayers that he wrote, his Divine Liturgy is the most celebrated throughout the church’s liturgical year. His feast day falls on November 13.
St. Basil the Great was another fourth century Archbishop, but within the Cee of Caesarea in Cappadocia. St. Basil’s liturgy differs distinctly from Chrysostom’s by the fact that the Eucharistic Canon is substantially longer and much more didactic – having the ability to convey the teachings and theology of the Church. For this reason, St. Basil’s liturgy is celebrated on the five Sunday’s during Great Lent, Great and Holy Thursday and Saturday, for the feasts of the Nativity of Christ and Theophany, as well as St. Basil’s own feast day on January 1.
