141 (262). To Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata
LETTERS
We believe these truths. But, since the doctrine concerning the Holy Spirit was undefined, as at that time the Pneumatomachi5 had not yet appeared, they6 were silent as to the necessity of anathematizing those who say that the Holy Spirit is of a created and servil~ nature. For, absolutely nothing of the Divine and Blessed Trinity is created.
141. To Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata l I have already received two letters from your inspired and most perfect Wisdom. One of them vividly described to us how we had been expected by the people under the jurisdiction of your Holiness, and how much grief we had caused by being absent from the most holy synod. And the other, the earlier one, as I judge from the conteFlts, but which was delivered to us later, contained instructions such as are worthy of you and necessary for us-that we should not be negligent of the churches of God nor little by little yield the 5 The Pneumatomachi flourished in the countries adjacent to the Helles. pont. They denied the divinity of the Holy Spirit and so received their name. Macedonius, their founder, was. intruded into the see of Constan. tinople hy the Arians in 342 and enthroned by Constantius, who had for a second time expelled Paul, the Catholic bishop. They are some. times called Macedonians after the name of their founder.
6 I.e., the Fathers of Nicaea.
St. Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata (Commagene), died in 379. His feast is celehrated on June 22 by the Greeks, and on June 21 by the Latins. The dissensions and unrest of the Eastern Church between the years 361 and 379 are reflected in his life more than in that of any other. Eusehius was a moderate supporter of the Creed of Nicaea, was threatened by Constantius, and was compelled under Val ens to travel in disguise through his diocese. He was finally banished by Val ens and only returned to his diocese in 376 after the death of Valens. Later, he was killed with a stone by an Arian woman. Cf. Tillemont, note 64. This letter was written in 373.
SAINT BASIL
control of affairs to our opponents, since in this way their influence will increase and ours will diminish. I think that I have answered both letters; nevertheless, since it is not evident whether those entrusted with the duty brought our answers safely, I am at present also offering a defense on the same subjects. As regards my absence I am writing a very true excuse, the report of which I think has reached even to your
Holiness-that I was detained by an illness which led me down to the very gates of death. And, even now, when writing concerning these matters, I write while still enduring the after-effects of my weakness. And these are of such a nature that in another they would suffice to be grievous disorders.
But, in reference to this, that it was not by our negligence that the interests of the Church were handed over to our opponents, I wish your Reverence to know that the bishops who pretend to be in communion with us, because of reluctance, or because of their still being suspicious toward us and insincere, or because of the opposition engendered by the Devil against good works, are unwilling to help us. But, though the majority of us are joined with each other, forsooth, in appearance, and even the worthy Bosporius2 is united with us, yet they actually take part with us in none of the most pressing matters. As a result, I am retarded in my recovery for the most part by this despondency of mine, since, as a result of excessive grief, my infirmities continuously recur.
And what can I do alone, since the Canons,3 as you your2 Bosporius. an intimate friend of St. Basil. was Bishop of Colonia in Cappadocia Secunda. Cf. Letter 51.
3 These Canons. falsely ascribed to the Apostles. are sometimes cited by St. Basil among the canonical episLles. He seems here to refer to the twenty·seventh. where it is ordained that in each province the bishops should not initiate anything of an important character without the opinion or consent of him who is of highest rank among them. and that each should be content with his own province; but he should not do anything without the good will of all. St. Basil observed this canon very scrupulously. Cf. the note of the Benedictine editors.