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

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To Ascholius, bishop of <strong>The</strong>ssalonica. 2507<br />

Letter CLIV. 2506<br />

You have done well, <strong>and</strong> in accordance with the law of spiritual love, in writing to me<br />

first, <strong>and</strong> by your good example challenging me to like energy. <strong>The</strong> friendship of the world,<br />

indeed, st<strong>and</strong>s in need of actual sight <strong>and</strong> intercourse, that thence intimacy may begin. All,<br />

however, who know how to love in the spirit do not need the flesh to promote affection, but<br />

are led to spiritual communion in the fellowship of the faith. Thanks, then, to the Lord<br />

Who has comforted my heart by showing me that love has not grown cold in all, but that<br />

there are yet in the world men who show the evidence of the discipleship of Christ. <strong>The</strong><br />

state of affairs with you seems to be something like that of the stars by night, shining some<br />

in one part of the sky <strong>and</strong> some in another, whereof the brightness is charming, <strong>and</strong> the<br />

more charming because it is unexpected. Such are you, luminaries of the <strong>Church</strong>es, a few<br />

at most <strong>and</strong> easily counted in this gloomy state of things, shining as in a moonless night,<br />

<strong>and</strong>, besides being welcome for your virtue, being all the more longed for because of its being<br />

so seldom that you are found. Your letter has made your disposition quite plain to me.<br />

Although small, as far as regards the number of its syllables, in the correctness of its sentiments<br />

it was quite enough to give me proof of your mind <strong>and</strong> purpose. Your zeal for the<br />

cause of the blessed Athanasius is plain proof of your being sound as to the most important<br />

matters. In return for my joy at your letter I am exceedingly grateful to my honourable son<br />

Euphemius, to whom I pray that all help may be given by the Holy One, <strong>and</strong> I beg you to<br />

join in my prayers that we may soon receive him back with his very honourable wife, my<br />

daughter in the Lord. As to yourself, I beg that you will not stay our joy at its beginning,<br />

but that you will write on every possible opportunity, <strong>and</strong> increase your good feeling towards<br />

me by constant communication. Give me news, I beg you, about your <strong>Church</strong>es <strong>and</strong> how<br />

they are situated as regards union. Pray for us here that our Lord may rebuke the winds<br />

<strong>and</strong> the sea, <strong>and</strong> that with us there may be a great, calm.<br />

2506 Placed in 373.<br />

2507 cf. Letters clxiv. <strong>and</strong> clxv. Ascholius baptized <strong>The</strong>odosius at <strong>The</strong>ssalonica in 380, <strong>and</strong> was present at the<br />

Council of Constantinople in 381. Soc., Ecc. Hist. v. 6 <strong>and</strong> 8.<br />

To Ascholius, bishop of <strong>The</strong>ssalonica.<br />

607<br />

210

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