72 (351). To Hesychius
LETTERS
churches and our fatherlands. 6 Even if nothing for which we hope shall happen, the judgment of Christ is not far off.
Consequently, if you request a conference for the sake of the churches, I am ready to hasten wherever you may summon me, but if to end the slanders, I have no leisure at present to give an answer concerning them.
72. To Hesychius 1 I know both your love for us and your zeal for good. Therefore, since I must appease my most beloved2 son, Callisthenes,3
I thought that I would more easily accomplish my earnest desire if you would share my solicitude. The man has been vexed at the most eloquent4 Eustochius; and his vexation is just. He charges the latter's servants with insolent and mad acts against him. Weare asking him to relent, to be satisfied with the fear with which he has inspired both those overbold men and their masters, and to put an end to the quarrel by granting pardon. For, in this way, two advantages will accrue to him-the respect of men and the approval of God
-if he is willing to mingle forbearance with the fear aroused.
Do you yourself, therefore, if you have any past friendship and intimacy with the man, beg of him this favor, and if you know any in the city who are able to appease him, take
6 Probably Caesarea. the place of his birth. and the Pontus. the region of his bringing up.
I Cf. Letter 44. concerning Hesychius. This letter was written about 371.
2 Potheinotaton-a title of distinction used by St. Basil for clergy and laymen.
3 Callisthenes and Eustochius were both laymen of Cappadocia. Nothing is known of them except what has been learned from this and the follo~ing letters.
4 Logiotatou-a title of distinction used by St. Basil for laymen.