139 (71). To the Alexandrians
SAINT BASIL
139. To the Alexandrians l The report of the pers~cutions which have been taking place throughout Alexandria and the rest of Egypt reached me long ago, and it has deeply affected my soul, as was to be expected. For, we thought of the artifice of the Devil's warfare, who, when he saw that by the persecutions of our enemies the Church was increasing and thriving the more, changed his plan. He no longer makes war openly, but places hidden snares for us, concealing his treachery by means of the name which his followers bear, in order that we may endure the same sufferings as our fathers, and yet not seem to suffer for Christ, since our persecutors have the name of Christians. We sat for a long time considering these things, amazed at the tidings of what had happened. In truth, both of our ears rang on learning of the shameless and inhuman heresy of those who persecuted you; that they had no regard for age, nor for the labors of a life well spent, nor for the affection of the people. On the contrary, they tortured and dishonored bodies, handed them over to exile, and plundered whatever property they were able to find, not fearing the censure of men nor foreseeing the fearful requital of the just Judge.
These things have dazed us and almost put us out of our mind. But, along with these considerations, there came this thought also: The Lord has not entirely abandoned His churches, has He? And this is not the last hour, is it, and apostasy is finding an entrance through them, in order that now the impious one may be revealed, 'the son of perdition,
1 The persecution here referred to is the one caused by Valens. who tor· tured the Eastern Catholics from 369 to the end of his reign. This letter was written in 373.
LETTERS
who opposes and is exalted above all that is called God, or that is worshipped'?2
But, if the trial is transitory, bear it, noble champions of Christ; or even, if all things are given over to complete destruction, let us not be careless with regard to the present, but let us await the revelation from heaven and the manifestation of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. For, if all creation is destroyed and the scheme of this world is altered, what wonder is it that we, also, being a part of creation, suffer the common evils and are given over to afHictions? These the just Judge lays upon us in proportion to our strength, 'not permitting us to be tempted beyond our strength, but with the temptation also giving us a way out that we may be able to bear it.'3
The crowns of martyrs await you, brothers; the choirs of confessors are ready to reach out to you their hands and to receive you into their own number. Remember the saints of old, that no one of those living luxuriously nor open to flattery was considered worthy of the crown of patient endurance, but all being tried by the fire of great tribulations gave proof of themselves. For, some 'had experience of mockery and stripes,' others 'were sawed asunder,' and others 'were put to death by the sword.'4 These are the glories of the saints. Blessed is he who is deemed worthy of suffering for the sake of Christ! But, more blessed is he who has abounded in sufferings, because 'the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that will be revealed in US.'5
Certainly, if it had been possible for me to come in per2 Cf. 2 Thess. 2.4.
3 Cf. I Cor. 10.13.
4 Cf. Heb. 11.36.37.
5 Rom. S.IS.