90 (61). To the Most Holy Brothers and Bishops of the West
SAINT BASIL
Now, concerning the most revered Bishop Athanasius, we are reminding your distinguished Wisdom, although you are accurately aware of it, how impossible it is to further or to accomplish anything which should be done by letters from me alone, unless in some manner he receives Communion from you who formerly deferred it. In fact, he himself is said to be exceedingly eager for union with us and to be using all his power to bring it about, yet to be grieved because he was sent away at that time without Communion and because the promises stiIl remain unfulfilled. 3
How these facts are regarded in the East has most certainly not escaped the ears of your Reverence, all of which the brother mentioned above will himself relate more in detail.
Be so kind as to send him out immediately after Easter, because he is waiting for the decisions from Samosata. Also commend his good will and send him forth to the appointed tasks strengthened by your prayers.
90. To the Most Holy Brothers and Bishops of the West 1 The good God, who always joins consolations to afflictions, has even now in the midst of our many distresses let us find some degree of comfort from the letters which our most honorable father, Bishop Athanasius, received from your Rectitude and which he sent on to us. They are a testimony of sound faith and give proof of your inviolable harmony and 3 Tillemont contends that it is not the great St. Athanasius that is referred to here, since Meletius would not dare refuse him Communion.
However, Maran (Vita Basilii xxii) shows that the circumstances fit in and also that the statement of Meletius' refusal is borne out by the Letter 258.3. S1. Athanasius himself was so far committed to the other side in the Antiochene dispute that he could not recognize Meletius.
LETTERS
union, making clear that the shepherds are following in the footsteps of the Fathers and tending the people of the Lord with understanding. All these facts have gladdened us to such an extent as to relieve our dejection and to produce in our souls a brief smile, as it were, in the gloom of affairs in which we are now situated.
Moreover, the Lord has increased our consolation through our son, the most pious fellow deacon, Sabinus, who nourished our souls by his accurate relation of your goodly condition and who, having learned by actual observation, will also clearly report to you the state of our affairs. This he will do in order, primarily, that you may aid us in our struggle by your earnest and persevering prayer to the Lord, and secondly, that you may not refuse to bring to the afflicted churches all possible consolation. Affairs here are in a distressing condition, most honorable brothers. The Church, like a boat in the midst of the sea racked by the continuous blows of the waves, has been reduced to utter exhaustion by the incessant attacks of her opponents, unless there should be some speedy visitation of the goodness of the Lord. Therefore, just as we esteem as a personal blessing your mutual agreement and union, so also we beg you to compassionate us in our dissensions, and not, because we are separated by the situation of our countries, to sever us from yourselves, but since we are united in the communion of the Spirit, to admit us to the harmonious union of one body.
Our afflictions are well known, even if we do not recount them; they have already been sounded forth through the whole world. The doctrines of the Fathers are despised; the traditions of the Apostles are set at nought; the crafty inventions of innovators are introduced in the churches; men now are skillful masters of words, and not theologians; the wisdom
SAINT BASIL
of the world takes first place, the glory of the cross having been thrust aside. The shepherds are driven out, and in their places fierce wolves are brought in, who tear asunder the flock of Christ. The houses of prayer are destitute of those who assembled there; the deserts, full of lamenting people. The older men grieve, comparing their former state with the present; the young are more to be pitied, being unaware of their deprivation.
These facts are sufficient to rouse the sympathy of those who have been taught the love of Christ, but, compared with the true state of affairs, my words fall far short of depicting reality. If, therefore, there is any consolation of love, any communion of the Spirit, if there are any feelings of pity, bestir yourselves to come to our relief. Employ zeal in the pmsuit of piety, deliver us from this storm. And let that blessed dogma 2 of the Fathers be spoken fearlessly among us, that dogma which confounds the hateful heresy of Arius and builds up the churches on the sound doctrine in which the Son is acknowledged to be consubstantial with the Father, and the Holy Spirit is numbered with Them and adored with equal honor, in order that that fearlessness in defense of the truth which the Lord gave to you, and that glory in the confession of the divine and saving Trinity, may also through your prayers and your co-operation be bestowed upon us. But, the particulars the deacon mentioned above will announce to your
Charity. Moreover, we are in agreement with everything that has been done canonically by your Honor, and heartily approve of your apostolic zeal for orthodoxy.
1 Newman considers this plea for help and also Letter 92 to be closely connected with Letter 70, which appears to have been addressed to Pope Damasus. It was written before Easter, !l72.
2 St. Basil, contrary to the present usage, generally employs the word kerygma for a dogma of the Church, and calls dogmata the doctrines and practices privately sanctioned in the Church.