78 (215). Without an Address, in Behalf of Elpidius
SAINT BASIL
78. Without Address, in Behalf of Elpidius1 Your kindly regard for our most revered companion Elpidius has not escaped our notice-how, with your customary sagacity, you gave the prefect an opportunity to show his benevolence. Therefore, through this letter we now urge you to make this favor perfect, reminding the prefect personally to put in charge of our country the man on whom depends nearly the whole care of our public interests. Consequently, you will be able to suggest many plausible reasons which will necessarily cause the prefect to order him to remain in our country. Now, in what condition our affairs are here, and how valuable the man is in our troubles, there is assuredly no need for us to explain, since you yourself with your intelligence understand it thoroughly.
79. To Eustathius, Bishop of Sebaste 1 Even before I received your letter, I was aware of the distress which you feel for every soul and, especially, for our
I This letter was written at about the same time as the preceding.
Eustathius was the Bishop of Sebaste (modern Sivas). a town of the Pontus and capital of Armenia Minor. from 357-380. He was regarded with suspicion by most schools of theology of his day because of his frequent change of opinion. but he had succeeded in securing and retaining the affection of St. Basil. He had expressed his great joy at St_
Basil's elevation to the episcopate and offered to aid his friend in his new and responsible position. This letter shows that kindly relation which existed between the two men. Suggesting that St. Basil would need fellow helpers and counselors. Eustathius recommended certain persons. whom St. Basil later complained were but spies watching his every word and action. interpreting them in an evil way. and reporting them to their chief in an attempt to convict him of heresy. This was the beginning of a bitter struggle between the two which lasted until the death of St. Basil in 379. This letter was written about the year 371.