80 (49). To Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria
LETTERS
Lowliness, because I have been thrown into this conflict.
And when I had received the letter from the most revered Eleusinius,2 and had actually seen him present, I thanked
God, who, through His spiritual aid, has granted us in our struggles for the cause of religion such an assistant and fellow soldier. And let it be known to your unsurpassed Reverence that, up to the present, we have suffered some attacks from high officials and these violent, since for personal reasons both the prefect3 and the chamberlain4 argued for our adversaries. Meanwhile, we have endured every attack unmoved, by the mercy of God, who is favoring us with the assistance of the Spirit and through Him has strengthened our weakness.
80. To Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria!
The more the disorders of the Church increase, the more do we tum toward your Perfection, believing that the one consolation left to us in our dangers lies in your leaden;hip.
You, indeed, have saved us from this terrible storm by the power of your prayers and by your knowledge of how to give the best suggestions in our troubles. This is believed by all alike who even slightly know your Perfection by hearsay or by experience. Therefore, do not be remiss in praying for us and encouraging us by your letters. For, if you had realized
2 Known only from this letter. He was sent with 'this present letter. apparently to warn St. Basil of the approach of the Emperor Valens. and to express the fear he felt for the safety of Catholics. especially of St.
Basil himself.
3 During the later Empire. the Pretorian Prefects lost their military power. Four prefects continued to be created. but they were civil rulers of the provinces.
4 A favorite eunuch placed in charge of the private apartments of the im perial palace.
1 Cf. Letter 61 n. 1.