15 (415). To Arcadius, Imperial Administrator
SAE'{T BASIL
Do you not realize, then, how great a risk I was foolishly taking in my eagerness to exchange such a place for the Tiberina,3 the pit of the world ? You must pardon me for hurrying on now to such a place. FOF, not even AIcmaeon could longer endure his wandering after he had discovered the Echinades. 4
15. To Arcadius, Imperial Administrator1 The citizens of our capital conferred a greater favor than they received when they provided me with an opportunity of writing to your Honor. 2 For truly, because of your usual innate gentleness toward all, the privilege they sought to obtain through a letter from us was theirs even before the letter was written.
In fact, we regarded it an exceptional advantage to have the opportunity of addressing your peerless Honor,3 and we prayed to the holy God that we might continue to take delight in your growing favor with Him and in your increasing earthly renown, and also that we might rejoice with those favored by your patronage. We also prayed that you might receive and look kindly upon those presenting our letter to 3 The Tiberina was a district near Gregory's home at :'>.'azianzus; cf. Greg.
Naz. Epp. 6 and 7.
4 Alcmaeon. because he had slain his mother. was relentlessly pursued by the Erinnys. the avenger of matricide. and was allowed rest in no place until he reached the Echinades. These islands. formed in the mouth of the river Achelous by "its muddy stream. had not been in existence at the time of the murder and so could offer him relief.
The imperial administrator managed the enormous revenues of the treasury and kept an account of the privileges granted by the emperor.
This letter was written during St. Basil's retirement in the Pontus.
2 Timioteta-a title of address used by St. Basil for both clergymen and laymen.
3 Kalokagathian-a title of address used by St. Basil for laymen only.