Letter 142: I assembled all my brethren the chorepiscopi at the synod of the blessed martyr Eupsychius to introduce them to your excellency. On account of your absence they must be brought before you by letter. Know, therefore, this brother as being worthy to be trusted by your intelligence, because he fears the Lord.

I gathered all the regional bishops [chorepiscopi: rural bishops who served the countryside around major cities] for the feast of the blessed martyr Eupsychius [a local martyr of Caesarea, honored annually], hoping to introduce them to you in person. Since you weren't there, I'm making the introduction by letter instead. Please trust the brother who carries this letter — he's a good man who fears God. He'll explain the situation regarding the poor in his area. Listen to him, and help however you can. In particular, I'm asking you to grant a full tax exemption to the poorhouse [ptochotropheion: an early hospital/shelter for the destitute, a type of institution Basil pioneered] in his district. Your colleague has already agreed that the meager property of the poor shouldn't be taxed. I trust you'll do the same.

ST. BASIL OF CAESAREA To the prefects' accountant. I assembled all my brethren the chorepiscopi at the synod of the blessed martyr Eupsychius to introduce them to your excellency. On account of your absence they must be brought before you by letter. Know, therefore, this brother as being worthy to be trusted by your intelligence, because he fears the Lord. As to the matters on behalf of the poor, which he refers to your good-will, deign to believe him as one worthy of credit, and to give the afflicted all the aid in your power. I am sure you will consent to look favourably upon the hospital of the poor which is in his district, and exempt it altogether from taxation. It has already seemed good to your colleague to make the little property of the poor not liable to be rated. About this page Source. Translated by Blomfield Jackson. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 8. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1895.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3202142.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Ad vent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.