169 (412). To Gregory
SAINT BASIL
who at such a time have been thought worthy of being with a man struggling desperately in the strenuous defense of religion. I am convinced that the Lord will consider you, who are nobly stimulating and supporting his zeal, a~o deserving of the same lot. And how great a gain it is to en joy in profound tranquillity a man who has acquired so much from his education and from his experience in life! Therefore, I am persuaded that you now know the man, how great his intelligence is, because in the past not only did he have his mind spread over many subjects, but also you yourself did not enjoy leisure from the affairs of life so as to be wholly devoted to the spiritual stream pouring forth from the pure heart of the man. But, may the Lord grant not Orily that you be a comfort to him but also that you yourself may not need consolation from others. Of this, then, I am convinced as far as concerns your hearts, judging both from my own experience made when with you for a short while, and from the exalted doctrine of the good Teacher, whose companionship for .one day is sufficient provision for the journey toward salvation.
169. Basil to Gregoryl You have undertaken a fitting, kindly, and humane act in bringing together the captive troop of the disdainful Glycerius (for, thus we must write for the present), and in having covered over our common disgrace as far as was possible.
1 Letters 169. 170. and 171 treat of the strange actions of the deacon Glycerius. W. M. Ramsay. The Church in the Roman Empire before A.D.
170 (2nd ed.. London. 1893) 443-464. discusses this incident. His explanation is 'that Basil is giving us a picture. colored to his view. of a naive and quaint ceremony of early Cappadocian Christianity. which he regarded with horror and was resolved to stamp out.' This letter was written to Gregory (manuscript evidence favors Gregory of Naz. ianZlls) in 374,
LETTERS
Nevertheless, there is need for your Reverence to learn the charges against him, and so to wipe out the dishonor.
For, this Glycerius, at present swaggering and proud in your opinion, was by us ordained deacon of the church at Venesa,z both to serve the presbyter and to care for the work of the church. The man is, even if intractable in other respects, at least not without natural talent in manual labor. But, since his appointment, he has neglected his work as if it had not existed at all. Yet, after having gathered together some wretched virgins by his own personal power and authority, some having joined him willingly (now, you know the readiness of the young for such things) and others unwillingly, he attempted to be leader of the company. Assuming for himself the name and dress of patriarch, he on a sudden began to give himself airs, not following this course through any idea of conformity or piety, but preferring this opportunity of livelihood as another would some other occupation. And he has almost caused the upset of the whole church, defying his presbyter, a man venerated for his manner of life and his age, showing disdain for his suffragan bishop and for us as if we were deserving of no attention, and filling the city and the whole clergy with uproars and disorders.
Finally, lest he be mildly rebuked by us and also by the suffragan bishop so that he would not continue his contemptuous conduct toward him (for he was also training the young people with him to the same spirit of rebellion), he is planning an affair exceedingly daring and flagrant. After having carried off from us as many of the virgins as he could, and having watched for a night, he departed in flight. These acts will appear exceedingly direful to you. Also, consider the time. The local festival was being held and an immense crowd was streaming in from all sides, as was natural. And 2 Other spellings are Veesa, Venata, Synnasa.