127 (253). To Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata
SAINT BASIL
been afflicted by those who have erred against the truth of the Gospel, still another evil should rise up by the renewal of the old heresy of Sabellius,2 the enemy of the Church (for the brothers have announced to us that the statements made are of the same nature as this). For this reason we have written, in order that you may not hesitate to bestir yourself for this short journey and to come to us, and, by giving satisfaction regarding these matters, both to assuage our pain and to console the chur.ches of God, which are now grieved unbearably and harshly at what has been done and what has been reported to have been said by you.
127. To Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata 1 Our loving God, who adds consolations commensurate with our afflictions and comforts the downcast that they may not be overwhelmed unawares by their excessive grief, has afforded us a consolation equal to the disorders which assailed us at Nicopolis. For, He has brought in at an opportune moment Jovinus, a bishop dearly beloved of God. And how very opportune for us was his appearance let him tell per2 Cf. Letter 125 n. 5.
All the information which we have of Eusebius of Samosata has been gathered from the letters of St. Basil and St. Gregory of Nazianzus.
He was instrumental in the consecration of Meletius as Bishop of Antioch, and was his staunch supporter during the long years of schism and exile. It was through his efforts, likewise, that St. Basil 'was elevated to the see of Caesarea. This was the beginning of a mutual and un. broken friendship. After Easter, 374, Eusebius was exiled to Thrace.
He was recalled in 378, and on his return to Samosata was martyred.
Previous letters addressed to him are Letters 27, 30, 31, 34,47,48,95, 98, and 100. Shortly after St. Basil's return from Nicopolis, whither he had gone to investigate the trouble caused by the uncanonical conse· cration of Faustus, Jovinus paid him a visit and rallied to his support.
Jovinus himself is apparently the bearer of this letter, telling the good news to Eusebius. This letter was written about 373.