152 (374). To Victor, a Commander
SAINT BASIL
152. To Victor, a Commander!
If I should not write to some other person, I would, perhaps, justly incur the charge of negligence or forgetfulness.
But, how is it possible to forget you, whose name is spoken among all men? And, how possible to neglect you, who have excelled almost all on earth in the loftiness of your honors?
However, the cause of our silence is evident-we hesitate to become troublesome to so great a man. But, if in addition to your other virtues, you possess this one, also-- that you not only accept the letters sent by us but also miss those which were left unsent-behold, we are now writin~ with confidence and we shall continually write, praying to the holy God that recompense be given to you for the honor which you pay us. You have anticipated our requests for the Church, having done everything which we would have asked. And you act not to please men, but God, who has honored you and who has given you some blessings in the present life and wiII give others in the life to come, because you have walked His road with truth and have kept your heart unswerving in rightness of faith from beginning to end.
153. To Victor, the Ex-Consul!
As often as we chance to read the letters from your Modesty, 1 Victor was a distinguished general under Valens, a man of high char. acter, and an orthodox Christian. He had been consul in 369. Cf. Gregory of Nazianzus, Letters 133 and 134. In 378, he united with Trajan.
Arintheus. and other generals in remonstrating with Valens on his Arianism. Cf. Theod_ H.E. 4.30; and Amm. Marc. 31.7. This letter was written in 373.
1 In all probability. this is the same Victor as is addressed in the preced. ing letter. The date is about the same as that of the preceding letter.