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

Patrophilus of Ægæ; 250 Petrus of Alexandria; 251 Theodotus of Nicopolis, 252 and Ascholius
of Thessalonica. 253
Basil’s correspondence was not, however, confined within the limits of clerical clanship.
His extant letters to laymen, both distinguished and undistinguished, shew that he was in
touch with the men of mark of his time and neighbourhood, and that he found time to express
an affectionate interest in the fortunes of his intimate friends.
Towards the later years of his life the archbishop’s days were darkened not only by illhealth
and anxiety, but by the death of some of his chief friends and allies. Athanasius died
in 373, and so far as personal living influence went, there was an extinction of the Pharos
not of Alexandria only, but of the world. 254 It was no longer “Athanasius contra mundum,”
255 but “Mundus sine Athanasio.” In 374 Gregory the elder died at Nazianzus, and
the same year saw the banishment of Eusebius of Samosata to Thrace. In 375 died Theodotus
of Nicopolis, and the succession of Fronto was a cause of deep sorrow.
At this time 256 some short solace would come to the Catholics in the East in the synodical
letter addressed to the Orientals of the important synod held in Illyria, under the authority
of Valentinian. The letter which is extant 257 is directed against the Macedonian heresy.
The charge of conveying it to the East was given to the presbyter Elpidius. 258 Valentinian
sent with it a letter to the bishops of Asia in which persecution is forbidden, and the excuse
of submission to the reigning sovereign anticipated and condemned. Although the letter
runs in the names of Valentinian, Valens, and Gratian, the western brother appears to
condemn the eastern. 259
250 Epp. ccxliv., ccl.
251 Epp. cxxxiii., cclxvi.
252 Epp. cxxi., cxxx.
253 Epp. cliv., clxiv., clxv.
254 cf. Epp. lxxxii. and note.
255 The proverbial expression is conjectured by Dean Stanley to be derived from the Latin version of the
famous passage concerning Athanasius in Hooker, Ecc. Pol. v. 42. Vide Stanley, Grk. Church, lect. vii.
256 The date of the Council is, however, disputed. Pagi is for 373, Cave for 367. Hefele and Ceillier are satisfied
of the correctness of 375. cf. D.C.A. i. 813.
257 Theod., Ecc. Hist. iv. 8.
258 Mansi, iii. 386. Hefele, § 90.
259 Theod., H.E. iv. 7.
Unbroken Friendships.
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