25 (53). To Athanasius, Bishop of Ancrya
SAINT BASIL
conversation nor in his letters has he been known to say anything slanderous, great or small, about you. Therefore, although we do not deny having heard reports, Timotheus was not the inventor of the slanders against you. But, at all events, when we hear anything, we shall at ,least, whatever else we do, follow the example of Alexander-keep one ear free for the accused.5
25. To Athanasius, Bishop of Ancyra1 Some coming to us from Ancyra-so many that it is not easy to enumerate them, but all agreeing in their accounts
-reported to me that you, my dear Friend2 (how can I speak of it without hurting you), do not mention us in a very pleasant manner nor in accordance with your usual character. Yet, you may be sure, nothing human astonishes me, nor should any defection be a complete surprise, as I have learned from long observing the weakness of human nature and its readiness to espouse the opposite cause. I do not, therefore, consider it of importance if your esteem of me has undergone somewhat of a change, and, instead of the honor of former times, reproaches and insults are now directed toward us. But, what impresses me as really incredible and monstrous is that you should be so disposed toward us as to be angered and embittered and should already even threat5 Cf. Plutarch, Life of Alexander.
I This Athanasius was appointed to the see of Ancyra through the influence of Acacius, Bishop of Caesarea, a leader of the Homooeans.
However, he himself acquired a reputation for orthodoxy. Cf. Greg.
Nyss. Contra Eunom. 1.11.292. St. Basil speaks highly of him in Letter 29. This letter was written about the same time as the preceding one, hefore the spring of 368. Cf. Letter 29 n. I.
2 Kefalt!n-used as a title by St. Basil for both clergymen and laymen.
LETTERS 6S en us with violence, according to the report of those who have heard you.
Now, as for the threats (the truth must be told), I indeed really laughed at them. In fact, I would be altogether childish if I feared such bogeys. But, this seemed to me both terrible and a matter for deep concern, that your Integrity,3 whom we looked upon as one among the few being preserved for the consolation of the churches as a bulwark of sound doctrine and seed of the first and true love, should share to such an extent in the current mental attitude as to consider the blasphemies of chance-comers of greater weight than your long experience with us, and to be led without proof to suspect absurd reports to be true. Yet, why do I say 'suspect'? For, he who is vexed and threatens, as is reported concerning you, seems in some way to have displayed the wrath, not of one suspecting, but of a person already clearly and certainly persuaded.
Yet, as I have said, we trace the cause to the current course of thought. For, how much labor would it have been, admirable Sir, for you, in a brief letter, to have discussed confidentially with me any desired topic, or, if you would not entrust such matters to writing, to have summoned me to you? But, if you found it absolutely necessary to speak out, and the difficulty of restraining your wrath did not permit of delay, surely it would have been possible for you to use as a messenger of your words to us some one who is a close friend and disposed to keep secret matters confidential. But, now, who visits you for any need whatsoever whose ears are not ringing with the' accusation that we are writing and composing certain abominations? Those who report your speeches word for word say that you use this very expression. Although I have looked upon this matter from every possible viewpoint,
3 Akribeian-used as a title of address by St. Basil for the clergy alone.