77 (226). Without an Address, concerning Therasius
LETTERS
through which you may be of some benefit in the circumstances I myself am not able to suggest. No doubt, however, it will be easy for you to find a way because of your intelligence, and not difficult to use the means found because of the power given to you by God.
77. Without Address, concerning Therasius1 This one advantage we have enjoyed from the administration of the great Therasius-the continuous visits of your
Eloquence to us. But, since we have been deprived of our ruler, we have likewise suffered the loss of this advantage.
Yet, since favors once bestowed upon us by God remain steadfastly with us and though memory of them are present in the souls of each of us even though we are separated in body, let us at least continue to write and tell each other our needs, especially at the present time when the storm has offered this briefly enduring truce.
We still are hoping that you will not depart from the admirable 2 man, Therasius, but decide it proper to share such great cares with him, or, at least, that you will not accept unavailingly the opportunity which permits you to see your friends and be seen by them. Although I have much to say about many things, I have deferred them until our meeting, since I do not think that it is safe to entrust such matters to letters.
1 This letter was probably written to Elpidius. about whom the following letter was written. Therasius appears to have been the Governor of Cappadocia, who had been deposed because of slanderous charges brought against him. It is possible that Therasius is the governor in whose behalf St. Basil wrote to Sophronius. the Prefect of Constantinople, in 372. Cf. Letter 96. This letter is of about the same date as the preceding.
2 Thaumasibtdtou-a title of distinction used by S1. Basil for clergymen and laymen.