Letter 155: Without address. In the case of a trainer. I am at a loss how to defend myself against all the complaints contained in the first and only letter which your lordship has been so good as to send me.

I'm not quite sure where to start with the complaints in your letter — not because I lack a defense, but because there are so many charges I'm not sure which to address first. Let me just work through them in order. Until today, I knew nothing about the people heading to Scythia [a region north of the Black Sea, roughly modern Ukraine]. And no one told me about the travelers from your household either, so I had no chance to send greetings with them — though I'm always glad to have an excuse to write to you. As for forgetting you in my prayers: that's simply not going to happen. You know the prayers of the Church as well as anyone — we pray for brothers traveling abroad, for those in military service, for those speaking out in the Lord's name, for those bearing the fruits of the Spirit. You belong in most of those categories, if not all of them. And even setting aside the formal prayers, how could I personally forget you? I have too many reminders: your sister, your nephews, your family — all of them good people who care about me. Between them, I'm constantly brought back to fond thoughts of you whether I intend it or not. On the matter our brother brought me: the news wasn't unpleasant, and nothing was decided that would harm him. Please, release the chorepiscopus [a regional bishop subordinate to Basil] and me from blame on that front, and direct your frustration at the ones who gave you false information. If our learned friend has a genuine grievance against me, he's welcome to take it to the courts — that's what they're for. I only ask that you not hold me responsible for that situation. Every act of generosity you show to those being persecuted for the Lord's name is treasure you're storing up for yourself. On the day of reckoning, you'll receive the same refreshment you're giving others now. If you're able to send home the relics of the martyrs, please do — especially since you say the persecution there is still producing new ones.

ST. BASIL OF CAESAREA Without address. In the case of a trainer. I am at a loss how to defend myself against all the complaints contained in the first and only letter which your lordship has been so good as to send me. It is not that there is any lack of right on my side, but because among so many charges it is hard to select the most vital, and fix on the point at which I ought to begin to apply a remedy. Perhaps, if I follow the order of your letter, I shall come upon each in turn. Up to today I knew nothing about those who are setting out for Scythia; nor had any one told me even of those who came from your house, so that I might greet you by them, although I am anxious to seize every opportunity of greeting your lordship. To forget you in my prayers is impossible, unless first I forget the work to which God has called me, for assuredly, faithful as by God's grace you are, you remember all the prayers of the Church; how we pray also for our brethren when on a journey and offer prayer in the holy church for those who are in the army, and for those who speak for the sake of the Lord's name, and for those who show the fruits of the Spirit. In most, or all of these, I reckon your lordship to be included. How could I ever forget you, as far as I am individually concerned, when I have so many reasons to stir me to recollection, such a sister, such nephews, such kinsfolk, so good, so fond of me, house, household, and friends? By all these, even against my will, I am perforce reminded of your good disposition. As to this, however, our brother has brought me no unpleasant news, nor has any decision been come to by me which could do him any injury. Free, then, the chorepiscopus and myself from all blame, and grieve rather over those who have made false reports. If our learned friend wishes to bring an action against me, he has law courts and laws. In this I beg you not to blame me. In all the good deeds that you do, you are laying up treasure for yourself; you are preparing for yourself in the day of retribution the same refreshment which you are providing for those who are persecuted for the sake of the name of the Lord. If you send the relics of the martyrs home you will do well; as you write that the persecution there is, even now, causing martyrs to the Lord. 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/3202155.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent 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.