71 (33). To Gregory
SAINT BASIL
were dear to God, and especially with yourselves. We know from continuous tradition, and we have been taught by our fathers in their answers to our questions, and by letters still preserved among us, that the renowned Dionysius, 5 the most blessed bishop, who was conspicuous among you for the soundness of his faith and, in fact, for all virtues, visited our
Church at Caesarea and consoled our fathers through letters, and also sent men to redeem the brethren from captivity. But, our affairs now are in a sadder and more difficult condition, and demand even more care. For, at present, we lament, not the overthrowing of earthly structures, but the seizing of the churches; we behold, not bodily slavery, but the enslavement of souls, effected daily by the fighters for heresy. Therefore, unless you will now rouse yourselves for our relief, you will in a short time find there are none to whom you may stretch your hand, since all things will be under the dominion of heresy.
71. Basil to Gregoryl I received the letter from your Reverence through the 5 A Greek by birth. and consecrated July 22. 259. on the death of Sixtus
II. during the persecution of Valerian. Nothing is recorded of him except his efforts against heresy.
I As St. Gregory of Nazianrus had refused to give his assistance for the election of St. Basil as bishop. so he later refused his support to St.
Basil and would not accept any great responsibilities. He begged to be excused for remaining at Nazianzus on the ground that it was better for St. Basil's sake that there should be no suspicion of favor toward personal friends. Cf. Greg. Naz .• Letter 45. The present letter. written in !l7l. is partly an answer to the letter from St. Gregory in which he announced this stand; partly a plea that St. Gregory would not heed the charges of heterodoxy which were being spread against him.
LETTERS
most revered brother Helenius;2 and what you intimated to us he in person clearly explained. As to how we were affected on hearing it, you certainly can have no possible doubt. But, since we have decided to consider our love for you superior to every grievance, we have received even this as is befitting, and we pray to the holy God that during the days or hours remaining to us we may be preserved in the same disposition toward you as in the past. For, during that time we were conscious of having failed in nothing either great or small.
But, if that man3 who at present is striving eagerly to pry into the life of the Christians4 and who also thinks that associating with us brings him some dignity is inventing what he has not heard and is relating what he has not understood, it is no wonder. But, this is amazing and incredible-that of the brothers with you he has as listeners those who were the truest to me, and not as listeners only, but even, it seems, as disciples. At all events, even though under other circumstances it would be surprising that such a person should be the teacher and I the one disparaged, the unhappy state of affairs has taught us to be annoyed at nothing. In fact, because of our sins, more ignominious reports than these have for a long time been commonly made against us. For my part, indeed, if I have not yet given that man's brethren a proof of my beliefs concerning God, not even now have I any answer to give. For, how will a brief letter convince those whom a long life has not persuaded? But, if my former life is sufficient in itself, let the accusations of the slanderers
2 Hellenius was a surveyor of customs at Nazianzus. the confidential friend of both St. Basil and St. Gregory of Nazianzus. Besides delivering to St. Basil the message here referred to, we find him in !l72 conveying a message from the bishops of Lesser Armenia. Cf. Letter 98.
!I St. Basil avoids mentioning the slanderer by name.
4 I.e., not entering into the brotherhood of Christians, but merely peering in.
SAINT BASIL
be considered as nonsense. Yet, if we permit unbridled mouths and untaught minds to discuss whatever they may wish, and if we have ears ready to accept their statements, not only shall we ourselves receive wrong accounts of other's affairs, but others also of ours.
Now, the cause of this is the fact that we do not meet together, a situation which I have long urged should be avoided, but about which I am now silent through weariness. For, if, in accordance with our agreement of former days and with the care we now owe to our churches, we had passed a great part of the year with each other, we would not have given opening to the slanderers. But, if it seems best, dismiss these men from your mind, and be encouraged yourself to labor with us in the struggle which lies ahead, and with us to meet him who is making war against us. For, if you are only seen, you will check his assault, and you will separate those who are joining together to overthrow their fatherland by making known to them that you yourself, by the grace of God, are the leader of our assembly, and that you will dose every iniquitous mouth that pours forth contempt against God. If this is done, the very circumstances will show who it is that is following you toward the good, and who is changing from one side to another and through cowardice betraying the word of truth. But, if the interests of the Church are betrayed, there is little reason for me to try to convince by words those who regard my worth as would men who have not yet learned to measure themselves. In fact, after a short time, by the grace of God, the arguments drawn from our actions will refute the slanders, since we expect to endure even greater sufferings,5 perhaps, for the word of truth, but, if not, at least to be driven from our
5 Perhaps St. Basil is referring to martyrdom.