LETTER 73
THE FATHERS SPEAK
BASIL TO CALLISTHENES, ON A
SACRILEGEOUS THEFT,
LETTER 73
... That a man inflamed, angry, and ready to chastise those who have injured him would refrain from anger and restrain the full strength of his wrath to make us arbiters of the case, is something that gives us the great joy of finding him a spiritual son. Considering which, what is left but praying for your prosperity? ... Since you have ordered that those revolted slaves be brought to the place where they have caused mischief. I would like to learn what your kindness intends to do. If you appear in person to require the punishment for their insolence, the slaves will be there; for what else shall be done but that which you decide? Only we shall no longer know what grace we have received, if we are not able to free slaves from torture. Should you be held back by the hazards of the road, who is going to take charge of these men? Who is going to punish them for you? If you direct that they appear before you, and if it is decided at all, then order that the judgment be held at Sasima, and show your own mildness of character and your magnanimity. Taking in hand those who have provoked you, having by this shown your dignity, dismiss them scot·free. as we have implored you in former letters, granting us the grace we ask for, and you shall receive from God the recompense for your act.
The addressee of letter 286 is a public ofJicial, not otherwise identified. The object of this letter, written in the time of Basil's episcopacy, is a case of theft, aggravated by the fact that it was committed in a church building, where used clothing was stored for distribution to the poor.
Priests and Hierarchs: Shepherds of Sheep
BASIL TO COMMENTARESIOS, LETTER 286
(date uncertain) The professional thieves who stole, against the precept of the Lord, the coarse clothes of the poor who should rather be clothed than robbed, have been caught in this church
[ouvoooC;, literally: meeting house]. They have been arrested by those in charge of the policing of the church. But you thought that, since you administered the public affairs, it belonged to you to deal with these sorts of things. This is why I write to you that delicts committed in churches must receive from us the appropriate redress, and that the public judges should not be bothered with these matters.
Therefore the stolen clothes which are in your custody, as is shown by your record and the copy made thereof in presence of all the assistants, I have ordered to be collected, part of them for the poor who may appear later, and part to be distributed among those present. As for the culprits,
I have decided that they should be made to repent through instruction and in the knowledge of the Lord, hoping that, in God's name, I shall make them better for the future.
The lashings ordered by the courts do not work, but we know that frequently the fearful judgments of the Lord set those men aright. Now, if you feel that you should refer them to the court, we have full confidence in justice itself and in the righteousness of man, to let you act as you choose.
Several letters of Basil to Amphilochios, the bishop of lconium in Pisidia, constitute a running commentary on the canonicallegisiation of the time and would deserve a special study which my lack of competence in matters of Canon
Law does not allow me profitably to undertake. I will content myself with selecting a few pieces from the letters of Amphilochios 'itEpl Kcxv6vcuv and other miscellaneous let-