124 (328). To Theodorus
SAINT BASIL
124. To Theodorus 1 Some say that, if those held captive by the passion of love are drawn away from those loved by some unusually urgent necessity, whenever they look at a likeness of the beloved one they relieve the vehemence of the passion through the pleasure derived from the sight. Now, whether this is true or not, I cannot say, but what has happened to me with regard to your Goodness2 is not very different from this. For, since I have, so to say, a certain loving affection for your holy and guileless soul, but the enjoyment of my friends, as also of any other good, is for us not easy of attainment because of the opposition of our sins, I thought that I had perceived a very distinct image of your Goodness in the presence of our most pious brothers. And, if I had happened to meet your Nobility3 apart from them, I would have considered that I had seen them also in you, because, I mean, the measure of love in each of you is such that there appears equally in the case of each an eagerness to excel. I gave thanks to the holy God for this, and I pray that, if any span of life is still left to me, it may become through you a pleasant life. At the present time, however, I consider this existence a wretched and detestable thing, since I am separated from the company of those nearest and dearest to me. For there is nothing, in my opinion, in which anyone may take delight, if he is separated from those who truly love him.
~dentity of Theodorus is unknown. This letter was written in 373.
2 Hagiotetll--a title of address used by St. Basil in addressing clergy.
3 Gnesioteti-a title of address used by St. Basil for the clergy.