Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

gathered into one place. But, as this is impossible, let him be a bishop, not deriving dignity
from his see, but conferring dignity on his see by himself. For it is the part of a really great
man not only to be sufficient for great things, but by his own influence to make small things
great.
But what is to be done to Palmatius, 2346 who, after so many exhortations of the brethren,
still helps Maximus in his persecutions? Even now they do not hesitate to write to him.
They are prevented from coming themselves by bodily weakness and their own occupations.
Believe me, very godly Father, our own affairs are much in need of your presence, and yet
once more you must put your honourable old age in motion, that you may give your support
to Cappadocia, which is now tottering and in danger of falling.
people and clergy with the assent of the bishops of the province. (cf. Letter ccxxv.) Gregory the younger, however,
was consecrated to Sasima without these formalities.
2346 Maran (Vit. Bas. xxiv.) notes that he knows nothing about Palmatius, and supposes that by “persecutions”
are meant not persecutions in the ecclesiastical sense, but severities in the exaction of tribute. In Letter cxlvii.
Basil calls Maximus “a very good man,” praise which he is not likely to have given to a persecutor. Maximus
succeeded Elias, and probably inaugurated a new régime of strict exaction.
To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata.
533