49 (408). To Arcadius, the Bishop
LETTERS
announced to your Holiness. Indeed, a certain pretense of true faith and piety on his part is commonly reported by those coming from there, all with the same account. As a result, even the parts of the city which were at variance have united, and some of the neighboring bishops have accepted the union. Furthermore, our own people have shown themselves no better than we had expected of them. For, when they arrived, just in the wake of your departure, they said and did many distressing things, and finally departed, confirming their schism. 4 At all events, it is evident to no one except God whether the condition will improve and whether they will cease their evil-do:ng. Such, then, is the present situation.
The rest of the Church is, by the grace of God, enjoying tranquillity, and is likewise praying to see you with us again in the spring, and to be reinvigorated by your sound teaching.
As for me, my physical health is no better than usual.
49. To Arcadius, the Bishop!
I gave thanks to the holy God on reading your Reverence's! letter; and I pray both that I may be worthy of the hope which you entertain of us, and that you may obtain the perfect reward for the honor which you bestow on us in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We were delighted beyond measure that, upon yourself assuming a charge becoming to a Christian, you had erected a home for the glory of the name of Christ, truly loving, as it is written, 'the beauty of the house
4 Letters 98. 141. and 282 also tell of the troubles St. Basil encountered after he became bishop.
I This letter was written shortly after St. Basil's elevation to the epis. copate.
2 Eulabeias-a title of address used by St. Basil for clergymen only.