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

To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium.
Letter CC. 2723
I am attacked by sickness after sickness, and all the work given me, not only by the affairs
of the Church, but by those who are troubling the Church, has detained me during the whole
winter, and up to the present time. It has been therefore quite impossible for me to send
any one to you or to pay you a visit. I conjecture that you are similarly situated; not, indeed,
as to sickness, God forbid; may the Lord grant you continued health for carrying out His
commandments. But I know that the care of the Churches gives you the same distress as it
does me. I was now about to send some one to get me accurate information about your
condition. But when my well beloved son Meletius, who is moving the newly enlisted troops,
reminded me of the opportunity of my saluting you by him, I gladly accepted the occasion
to write and had recourse to the kind services of the conveyor of my letter. He is one who
may himself serve instead of a letter, both because of his amiable disposition, and of his
being well acquainted with all which concerns me. By him, then, I beseech your reverence
especially to pray for me, that the Lord may grant to me a riddance from this troublesome
body of mine; to His Churches, peace; and to you, rest; and, whenever you have settled the
affairs of Lycaonia in apostolic fashion, as you have began, an opportunity to visit also this
place. Whether I be sojourning in the flesh, or shall have been already bidden to take my
departure to the Lord, I hope that you will interest yourself in our part of the world, as your
own, as indeed it is, strengthening all that is weak, rousing all that is slothful and, by the
help of the Spirit Which abides in you, transforming everything into a condition well
pleasing to the Lord. My very honourable sons, Meletius and Melitius, whom you have
known for some time, and know to be devoted to yourself, keep in your good care and pray
for them. This is enough to keep them in safety. Salute in my name, I beg you, all who are
with your holiness, both all the clergy, and all the laity under your pastoral care, and my
very religious brothers and fellow ministers. Bear in mind the memory of the blessed martyr
Eupsychius, and do not wait for me to mention him again. Do not take pains to come on
the exact day, but anticipate it, and so give me joy, if I be yet living on this earth. Till then
may you, by the grace of the Holy One, be preserved for me and for God’s Churches, enjoying
health and wealth in the Lord, and praying for me.
2723 Placed in 375.
To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium.
686