123 (343). To the Monk Urbicius
LETTERS
though, as they have shown, they have already started to transfer their communion to Anthimus, disdaining us and this church as being too old-fashioned for friendship.
123. To the Monk Urbicius1 You were going to visit us (and the blessing was near at hand) to refresh us at least with the tip of your finger when we were burning up in the midst of our trials. What then?
Our sins stood in the way and prevented your setting out, that we might suffer without relief. For, just as among the waves one sinks and another rises up, while still another grows black with violent agitation, so also with our evils-some have ceased, others come on, while still others are expected.
The one relief from our troubles, generally, is to yield in the crises and avoid the persecutors.
But, do indeed visit us, either to comfort or to give us advice or even to encourage us, and, especially, to make us better by the very sight of you. And-what is more importantpray, and pray earnestly, that our reason may not be submerged under the flood of evils, but that we may keep ourselves acceptable in all respects to God, lest we be counted among the wicked servants, giving thanks to Him when He bestows His benefits, and not submitting when He teaches by the opposite means. But, let us derive profit even from our very difficulties, trusting the more in Him when we have more need of Him.
I Urbicius is a monk about whom nothing is known except for this letter and Letter 242. This period. from 372 to 374. was a time of great per. sonal suffering for St. Basil. He and St. Gregory of Nazianzus. his life· long friend. had become estranged; Theodotus. whom he esteemed highly. suspected him of heresy and refused to co.operate with him; he at last realized the treachery and ingratitude of Eustathius of Sebaste and was forced to break with him; and. finally. his friend. Eusebius of Samosata. had been exiled to Thrace by the Emperor Valens. The year 373 is assigned as the date of this letter.