122 (313). To Poemenius, Bishop of Satala
SAI:,\T BASIL
122. To Poemenius, Bishop of Salala I No doubt, you asked the Armenians for a letter when they returned through your city, and you learned my reason for not giving them one. Now, if they spoke with a love of the truth, you pardoned us at once; but, in case they concealed it, which I do not think probable, at least hear it from us.
Anthimus, a most notable man, who long ago made peace with us, later finding an opportune time to satisfy his vanity and to cause us some distress, consecrated Faustus by his own authority and with his own hand, waiting for the vote of none of you and ridiculing us as being too exact in such matters.
Since, therefore, he violated a time-honored custom and, furthermore, showed contempt for you from whom I was waiting to receive the testimonial, and performed an act not pleasing to God, as I think, being grieved against the Armenians, I gave no letter to any of them, not even to your Reverence. But I have not admitted Faustus to communion, openly protesting that, if he does not bring me your letters, I shall hold myself for all time estranged from him and shall dispose my like-minded brethren to do the same.
If, then, the situation can be remedied, do you yourself both make haste to write, bearing witness for him, if you see that the life of the man is good, and to persuade the others to write. But, if it is incurable, make this also clear to me, so that I may no longer pay any attention at all to them, alPoemenius. Bishop of Satala in Armenia, was a relative of St. Basil and had been brought up in close intimacy with him. When St. Basil had been ordered by Valens in 372 to appoint bishops for the churches in Armenia, at the earnest request of the people and magistrates he had made Poemenius Bishop of Satala. Cf. Letter 102. in which St.
Basil commends Poemenius to his new flock. St. Basil is now writing him about the uncanonical appointment of Faustus which has been the subject of the two precedin~ letters. This letter was written at the end of the year 372 or at the beginning of 373.