56 (354). To Pergamius
LETTERS
seventy-year-old man lives with a woman for the sake of passion, nor have we made this decision on the ground that some abominable act has been committed, but because we have been taught by the Apostle that we 'should not put a stumbling-block or a hindrance in our brother's way.'3 Yet, we know that an act honorably performed by some is to others an occasion of sin. For this reason, following the command of the holy Fathers, we have ordered you to separate from the woman.
Why, then, do you make charges against the suffragan bishop and recall his former enmity? And why do you censure us as having ears ready to believe slanders? Why do you not rather blame yourself for not consenting to give up the companionship of the woman? Put her out of your house, therefore, and settle her in a monastery. Let her be with virgins, and you be served by men, in order that the name of God may not be reviled on your account. Until you do this, the innumerable excuses which you write in your letters will be of no avail, but you will die suspended, and you will give the Lord a reason for your idleness. And if you dare, without correcting yourself, to cling to your priestly duties, you will be anathema to all the people, and they who receive you will be excommunicated throughout the whole Church.
56. To Pergamius1 I am naturally forgetful, and the multiplicity of business affairs which has fallen to my lot is augmenting my natural
3 Rom. 14.13 (Septuagint).
Pergamius seems to have been a lay person of importance, but nothing is definitely known about him. This letter was written at the beginning of St. Basil's episcopate.
SAINT BASIL
weakness. Therefore, even though I do not remember that I have received a letter from your Nobility, I am persuaded that you sent us one, for surely you would not tell us a falsehood. Yet, that I have not answered is not my fault, but his who did not demand an answer. Now, however, this letter is going to you, not only making a complete apology for the past, but also offering an opportunity for a second salutation.
Therefore, when you write to us, do not suppose that you are introducing a second series of letters, but that you are paying the debt owed for the present one. For, really, even though our letter is a.n exchange for your former letter, yet, since it is more than twice the length of yours, it will satisfy for both purposes. Do you see to what sophistry idleness impels us?
But, as for you, most noble Sir, cease to introduce in a few words great charges, charges which involve, certainly, the utmost wickedness. For, forgetfulness of friends and contempts arising from power embrace all evils together. In fact, if we do not love according to the command of the Lord, neither do we retain that distinctive character that has been imposed upon us. And if we, rendered vain, are filled with empty conceit and false pretense, we fall into the sin of the Devil from which there is no escape. Therefore, if you used these words because you had such a feeling toward us, pray that we may escape the evil which you found in our character.
But, if your tongue came upon the words by force of habit and without deliberation, we shall console ourselves and urge your Excellency to add evidence from our deeds. Yet, realize this well, that the present anxiety has become an occasion of humiliation for us. Consequently, we shall forget you only when we shall fail to know ourselves. Furthermore, never make want of leisure an indication of character or of an evil disposition.