166 (251). To Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata
LETTERS
in you the goodly inheritance of the Fathers was carefully guarded.
But, further, what are your present deeds? With the body of a martyr who lately finished his struggle in the barbarous neighboring land, you have honored the country which bore you, like a grateful farmer sending back the first fruits to those who supplied the seeds. The gifts are truly becoming to an athlete of Christ-a martyr of the truth, recently crowned with the crown of righteousness-and we not only received it rejoicing, but also glorified God who has already caused the Gospel of His Christ to be observed among all the nations.
Let us urge you to remember in your prayers us who love you, and to pray earnestly to the Lord for our souls in order that we, also, at some time may be considered worthy to begin to serve God according to the way of His commands which He has given to us for our salvation.
166. To Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata1 Although our most revered brother, Eupraxius, 2 is in every way dear to us and is among the truest of our friends, he has seemed dearer and truer because of his affection for you.
Even now he has hastened to your Reverence like a hart (to use the words of David 3 ) which quenches its great and I The present letter seems correctly to be attributed to St. Gregory of Nazianzus by the Benedictine editors. The style is rather St. Gregory-IS than St. Basil's epistolary style. Moreover, Eusebius had written to St.
Gregory at about this time, and, as Eupraxius was passing through Cappadocia on his way to Eus.ebius, it gave St. Gregory an opportunity to send an answer. Moreover, the letter is found in only four of the later group of MSS. of St. Basil's Letters and this is a very small number of the extant MSS. It was written in the late summer of 374. Cf. Loofs, op. cit. 46 n. 5.
2 A diSciple and intimate friend of Eus.ebius of Samosata.
3 Cf. Ps. 41.2.
SAINT BASIL
intolerable thirst at a clear fresh spring. Happy is he who has been considered worthy to be associated with you, but more happy is he who has so crowned his sufferings for the sake of Christ and his toils for the sake of truth as few of those who fear God have done. For, you did not exhibit a virtue untried, nor in the time of fair weather only did you sail in a straight course and guide the souls of others, but you displayed a light amid the difficulties of trials, and you became mightier than the persecutors by nobly departing from the land which bore you.
Others still possess their paternal land; but we, the city above. Others, perhaps, possess our throne; we possess Christ.
Wonderful transaction! Despising what manner of things, what things we have acquired! We have passed through fire and water, but I trust that we shall also be led out to a place of rest. For, God will not abandon us in the end, nor will He suffer the persecution of sound doctrine, but, according to the number of our distresses will His consolation gladden us.
For this, then, we trust and pray. But you, I beseech, pray for our Lowliness and, as often as an opportunity arises, do not hesitate to bless us through your letters and make us more cheerful by informing us of your own state of affairs, as you have now deigned to do.