Letter 96: Who ever loved his city, honouring with filial love the place which gave him birth and nurture, as you do; praying for the whole city together, and for every one in it individually, and not merely praying but confirming your prayers by your own means? For this you are able to effect by God's help, and long, good man that you are, may you be able...

To Sophronius [a high-ranking imperial official], No one loves their hometown the way you do. You honor the place that raised you, you pray for the whole city and for each person in it, and — more than that — you back up those prayers with your own resources. God willing, may you keep doing so for a long time. Yet even with your support, our city [Caesarea, capital of Cappadocia, in modern central Turkey] has had only a brief taste of good governance. We were placed under the care of a man who, by every account, was the finest prefect anyone can remember. But we've suddenly lost him. Certain people, resenting his very fairness and generosity, manufactured charges against him — apparently without your knowledge. The whole city is devastated. This was a governor who lifted our spirits when we were beaten down. He was a true guardian of justice: accessible to anyone who'd been wronged, a terror to lawbreakers, and equal in his treatment of rich and poor. Most importantly for us, he restored the standing of Christians to its rightful place of honor. That he was completely incorruptible — that no one could buy a favorable ruling from him — I mention almost as an afterthought, because his other virtues were so great. I know I'm writing this too late, like someone singing a funeral song when there's nothing practical left to do. But it matters that his memory stays with you, and that you recognize him as someone who genuinely served your hometown. Here is what I'm asking: if anyone who holds a grudge against him — people angry that he wouldn't bend justice in their favor — tries to attack his reputation, please defend him. Make it clear that you consider his interests your own, and that his spotless record speaks for itself. What other men couldn't accomplish in years, he achieved quickly. It would mean a great deal to me — and would be a real comfort in these difficult times — if you would recommend him to the Emperor and help clear away these false charges. Believe me, I'm not writing on my own behalf. This is the prayer of our entire community: that he might benefit from your influence and protection.

ST. BASIL OF CAESAREA To Sophronius, the master. Who ever loved his city, honouring with filial love the place which gave him birth and nurture, as you do; praying for the whole city together, and for every one in it individually, and not merely praying but confirming your prayers by your own means? For this you are able to effect by God's help, and long, good man that you are, may you be able so to do. Nevertheless in your time our city has enjoyed but a brief dream of prosperity, in being committed to the charge of one the like of whom, according to the students of our oldest annals, never sat in the præfectorial chair. But now the city has suddenly lost his services, through the wickedness of men who have found a ground of attack in his very liberality and impartiality, and, without the knowledge of your excellency, have made up calumnies against him. There is therefore universal depression among us at the loss of a governor with unique capacity for raising our dejected community, a true guardian of justice, accessible to the wronged, a terror to law breakers, of like behaviour to rich and poor, and, what is most important, one who has restored the interests of Christians to their old place of honour. That he was, of all men that I know, the most incapable of being bribed, and never did anyone an unfair favour, I have passed by as a small point in comparison with his other virtues. I am indeed testifying to all this too late, like men who sing dirges to console themselves when they can get no practical relief. Yet, it is not useless that his memory should remain in your generous heart, and that you should be grateful to him as a benefactor of your native place. Should any of those who feel a grudge against him, for not sacrificing justice to their interests, attack him, it will be well for you to defend and protect him. Thus you will make it clear to all that you count his interests yours, and think it quite a sufficient reason for this your close association with him that his record should be so unimpeachable, and his administration so remarkable in view of the time. For what any other man would not be able to affect in many years has been quickly accomplished by him. It will be a great favour to me, and a comfort under the circumstances, if you will recommend him to the Emperor, and dispel the calumnious charges brought against him. Believe me that I am speaking here not for myself alone, but for the whole community, and that it is our unanimous prayer that he may reap some benefit from your excellency's aid. 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/3202096.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.