Letter 74 To the same
prelude 2: st gregory nazianzen To the same Of the matters that you wrote to me, this is what we think: we are not disappointed at being overlooked, but are glad when honoured.
The one is what we deserve, the other comes from your generosity.
Pray for us! Excuse the fewness of words, for at any rate, if they are short, they are longer than silence.
Letter 74 To the same13 On the possible background of this letter see the prefatory notes to letter
72. If such is the case, the impression here is that Gregory of Nyssa's period of exile is nearing its end. He seems to be able to move about more freely in Cappadocia than when he first went into hiding.
But a more likely period is after Gregory of Nyssa's return to his see, when he began to assume a prominent role in Church affairs, for in this letter Nazianzen already refers to him as 'the common prop of the Church'.
One such occasion might be after the burial of his sister, Macrina, when he returned to Nyssa to attend to the 'Galatian heresy' that had sprung up in his absence. The letter too shows that the two Gregorys were in constant contact by letter and that the younger Gregory used often send news to Gregory Nazianzen.
To the same 1. Though I abide here, I am abroad with you through love, for affection leads us to hold our concerns in common. Taking heart in God's love for man and in your prayers, I have great hopes that all will turn out according to your mind, and that the tempest will resolve itself into a gentle breeze, and that God will give you this reward for your orthodoxy: that you prevail over your opponents.
2. May we therefore see you soon and hear from you in person, I pray. But if you are detained by the pressure of affairs, do at any rate cheer me with a letter, and do not neglect to tell me all about your affairs and to pray for me, as you are accustomed to do. May the good God grant you health and good spirits in all circumstances— you who are the common prop of the Church.
13 Mss.: YM, LA, IF, ed.: Gallay I, 92–93, tr.: NPNF 2nd ser. 7, 460.