105 (301). To the Deaconesses, the Daughters of Count Terentius
LE'ITERS
general concession should be made for the clergy according to the draft in the open register,3 so that exemption may be given by the administrators of the churches each time to those who are actually engaged in the divine service.
This will both render immortal your Excellency's reputation for good deeds, and will procure many intercessors with God for the imperial family. It will provide much benefit for the state, too, since we offer the relief which comes from tax exemption not altogether to the clergy, but to those as well who are at any time suffering afflictions. Now, this is what we do in our state of freedom, as can be ascertained by anyone who wishes to know.
105. To the Deaconesses, the Daughters of Count Terentius1 I expected, in truth, to meet your Modesties when I stopped at Samosata; when I failed to do so, I did not bear the disappointment easily, wondering when it would be either possible for me to approach your neighborhood again or pleasing to you to visit our country. But, let those decisions remain with the will of the Lord.
As to the present, however, when I found that my son Sophronius2 was setting out in your direction, I gladly entrusted him with this letter which carries a greeting to you and reveals our disposition of mind-that, by the grace of God, we do not cease to remember you and to give thanks for you to the Lord that you are the noble offspring of a 3 Probably the public census list.
1 For Count Terentius. d. Letter 99. This letter was written in the autumn of 372.
2 Perhaps the disciple of Eustathius mentioned in Letter 119.
SAINT BASIL
noble root, fruitful in good works, and truly like lilies among thorns. 3 For, the fact of your not yielding to their deceits when you were surrounded by the great perverseness of men who corrupt the doctrine of truth, and of your not abandoning the apostolic pronunciation of the faith, turning to the innovations prevalent at the present time-is not that deserving of great thanksgiving to God, and does it not most justly win for you great commendation? You have believed in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Do not betray this trust: Father, the beginning of all things; only-begotten Son, begotten of Him, true God, Perfection from Perfection, living Image, wholly showing in Himself the Father; Holy Spirit, having His subsistence from God, Fount of Holiness, life-giving Power, perfecting Grace, through which man is adopted and the mortal is made immortal, in all respects united with the Father and the Son in glory and eternity, in power and kingdom, in sovereignty and divinity, as the tradition of the saving baptism testifies.
But, they who say that either the Son or the Spirit is a creature, or who in general reduce the Spirit to the ministering or servile order, are far from the truth. We should flee communion with them and avoid their conversation, as being poisonous to the soul. But, if at some future time the Lord shall grant us the favor of seeing you, we shall explain in fuller detail our words concerning the faith, so that from Scriptural proofs you may be able to recognize the strength of the truth and the weakness of heresy.
3 Cf. Cant. 2.2. St. Basil is fond of borrowing expressions and phrases from the Bible.