54 (181). To the Suffragan Bishops
SAINT BASIL
54. To the Suffragan BishopSl It grieves me exceedingly that the canons of the Fathers have now fallen into disuse, and that all exact observance has been banished from the churches. I fear that, since this indifference is steadily growing, the affairs of the Church will sink gradually into utter ruin. The practice formerly observed in the churches of God was to admit subdeacons2 for the service of the Church only after a most thorough investigation. Their whole manner of life was closely inquired into, whether or not they were scoffers, or drunkards, or quarrelsome, or if they were moderating their youthful spirits so as to be able to attain 'the holiness without which no man will see the Lord.'3 This scrutiny was made by the presbyters and the deacons who lived with them, and was in turn reported to the suffragan bishops, who, after recelvmg the votes of those who were really witnesses and notifying the 1 The authenticity of this letter assigned to one of the early years of St. Basil's episcopate has been questioned by Schafer, op. cit. 5ff. It contains instructions for admission to ordination, and claims that many have been presenting themselves as candidates to escape conscription.
But, in St. Basil's time the clergy were not exempt from conscription, Schafer claims; moreover, the word 'epinemesis' is used for a period of time only in a later age. Bessieres. however, does not find it lacking in any of the earliest manuscripts of St. Basil's letters.
2 The Greek Church acknowledges the following orders: bishops, priests. deacons, subdeacons, readers, acolytes, exorcists, and porters. Of these, the priesthood, including bishOps. and the diaconate alone are regarded as major orders. This seems to have been true at least from the time of the Synod of Laodicea (about the middle of the fourth century). In the Latin Church. the priesthood, including the bishops. the diaconate, and subdiaconate are the major or 'sacred orders: so called because they have immediate reference to what is consecrated. It is interesting to note that St. Basil in this letter considers the subdiaconate as one of the sacred orders. The earliest historical mention of the subdiaconate seems to be in the letter of Pope Cornelius (255) to Fabius of Antioch, in which he states that there are among the Roman clergy forty.six priests. seven deacons, and seven subdeacons.
3 Reb. 12.14.
LETTERS
bishop, then enrolled the subdeacons as members of the clergy!
But, now, in the first place, you, disregarding us and not deigning to notify us, have yourselves assumed all authority.
In the next place, becoming careless in the matter, you have permitted presbyters and deacons, acting through motives of affection due either to kinship or to some other friendly relationship, to introduce without due examination any. unworthy men they wished into the Church. Therefore, many subdeacons have been numbered in each village, but not one worthy of the service of the altar, 5 as you yourselves testify, since you are at a loss for men in the elections.
Since, then, I see that the matter is already becoming an incurable condition, especially at this time when very many, in fear of induction into the army, are forcing their way into the subdiaconate, I am compelled to revive again the canons of the Fathers. Moreover, I enjoin upon you to send me the registration of the subdeacons of each village, and to say by whom each has been introduced and what manner of life he is leading. And you yourselves also keep the registration in your own possession, so that you may compare your records with those preserved by us, and also so that it may not be possible for anyone illegally to enroll himself whenever he wishes. Of course, if some were brought in by presbyters after the first year of the indiction,6 these fall back among the laity.' And make the examination of these men over again, and if they are indeed worthy, let them be admitted by your vote. Purge the Church yet more, driving out of it the unworthy. In the future, examine and admit,
4 Cf. note 2. For testing of candidates, cr. St. Cyprian, Letter 68.
• 5 I.e., few, if any, of the subdeacons are worthy of being raised to the diaconate or priesthood.
6 The indictions were conventional periods of fifteen years, the first of which began in the reign of Constantine the Great.