91 (324). To Valerian, Bishop of the Illyrians
LETTERS
91. To Vaterian, Bishop of the Illyrians 1 Thanks be to the Lord who permitted us to see in your
Purity 2 the fruit of pristine3 love. Although separated from us in the flesh by such a great distance, you have united yourself with us by letters, and by embracing us with your spiritual and holy love you have engendered in our souls an unspeakably great affection. In fact, we have learned by experience the force of the proverb: 'As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good tidings from a far country.'4
For, the famine of love among us, honorable brother, is terrible. And the cause is easily seen, 'because iniquity has abounded, the charity of the many has grown cold.'5 For this reason your letter is very dear to us, and we are answering you through the same messenger, our most pious fellow deacon and brother, Sabinus. Through him we are making ourselves known to you, and we entreat you to be mindful of us in your prayers, that the holy God may give tranquillity and peace to our affairs and rebuke this wind and sea. Thus we shall be freed from the tossing and turmoil in which we now are, continually expecting to be completely plunged into the sea.
St. Valerian. Bishop of Aquileia. is first mentioned as being present at the Council of Rome in 371. Cf. Theodoret. H. E. 2.17. He presided at a council held in 381 at Aquileia against the Arian bishops. Palla. dius and Secundinus. at which St. Ambrose was leader of the Catholics.
He was also at the Council of Rome in 382. Cf. Tlfeodoret. H. E. 5.9.
The date of his death is uncertain. He is commemorated on Nov. 27.
Under his rule there grew up in Aquileia that group of people whom St. Jerome calls in his chronicle (378) 'a company of the blessed; and of whom he was one. Dorotheus or Sabinus had brought letters from St. Athanasius. and Sabinus one from Valerian. St. Basil is here taking the opportunity to reply. This letter was written in 372.
2 Katharoteti-a title of address used only this once by St. Basil.
3 I.e .. an exemplification of Christian love as taught in the early Church.
4 Cf. Provo 25.25.
5 Cf. Matt. 24.12.