Letter 60 TO THE DIVINE GREGORY
prelude 1: the letters of basil Letter 60 TO THE DIVINE GREGORY 7 This letter was written very early in 371 to Basil's maternal uncle, bishop
Gregory. It is the first of three connected letters, whose correct chronological sequence is letters 60, 58, 59. Strange to relate, uncle Gregory was in sympathy with those bishops who had opposed Basil's election as metropolitan of Caesarea and who maintained their disaffection afterward for some time. Gregory of Nyssa, then still working as a teacher of rhetoric in Caesarea, ineptly and clumsily attempted to bring about a rapprochement between Basil and their uncle, it seems by forging three letters as if from their uncle Gregory to Basil (Basil, letter 58). In the following letter Basil writes to his uncle concerning the first of the apparently forged letters, which had been delivered by Gregory of Nyssa himself.
In times past I have always been pleased to see my brother—and why not, since he is both my own brother, and such a man! And at the present time I have welcomed him on his visit in just the same disposition, having in no way altered my affection for him.
May no such misfortune ever befall me as to forget nature and be set at enmity with my own kin! On the contrary, I have considered the presence of the man to be a consolation both for the infirmities of the body and for the afflictions of the soul and I was especially delighted with the letter he brought from your Honour. I had long been eager it would come, for one reason only—that we might not, as others have done, add to our life a melancholy tale of a quarrel that divided kin against each other, which would bring pleasure to enemies and sadness to friends. It would also be displeasing to God, who has laid down that the distinguishing mark of his disciples is perfect love. So I reply, as I must, begging you to pray for us and to care for us in other respects, as your kin.
As for making sense of what has happened, since we ourselves, in our ignorance, cannot understand it, we have decided to accept as true whatever explanation you have been so good as to give us. But as to the other matters, they must also be determined by your magnanimity—our meeting with each other, a suitable time and a convenient place.
So if your dignity can bear at all to descend to our lowliness and share some speech with us, then, whether you desire our meeting
7 Mss.: VPBM, LC, ed.: Courtonne I, 150–151 , Def 2.10–13, tr.: NPNF 2nd ser. 8.161.