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

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To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium.<br />

Letter CCXXXI. 2940<br />

I find few opportunities of writing to your reverence, <strong>and</strong> this causes me no little trouble.<br />

It is just the same as if, when it was in my power to see you <strong>and</strong> enjoy your society very often,<br />

I did so but seldom. But it is impossible for me to write to you because so few travel hence<br />

to you, otherwise there is no reason why my letter should not be a kind of journal of my<br />

life, to tell you, my dear friend, everything that happens to me day by day. It is a comfort<br />

to me to tell you my affairs, <strong>and</strong> I know that you care for nothing more than for what concerns<br />

me. Now, however, Elpidius 2941 is going home to his own master, to refute the calumnies<br />

falsely got up against him by certain enemies, <strong>and</strong> he has asked me for a letter. I therefore<br />

salute your reverence by him <strong>and</strong> commend to you a man who deserves your protection, at<br />

once for the sake of justice <strong>and</strong> for my own sake. Although I could say nothing else in his<br />

favour, yet, because he has made it of very great importance to be the bearer of my letter,<br />

reckon him among our friends, <strong>and</strong> remember me <strong>and</strong> pray for the <strong>Church</strong>.<br />

You must know that my very God-beloved brother is in exile, for he could not endure<br />

the annoyance caused him by shameless persons. 2942 Doara 2943 is in a state of agitation,<br />

for the fat sea monster 2944 is throwing everything into confusion. My enemies, as I am informed<br />

by those who know, are plotting against me at court. But hitherto the h<strong>and</strong> of the<br />

Lord has been over me. Only pray that I be not ab<strong>and</strong>oned in the end. My brother is taking<br />

things quietly. Doara has received the old muleteer. 2945 She can do no more. <strong>The</strong> Lord<br />

will scatter the counsels of my enemies. <strong>The</strong> one cure for all my troubles present <strong>and</strong> to<br />

come is to set eyes on you. If you possibly can, while I am still alive, do come to see me.<br />

<strong>The</strong> book on the Spirit has been written by me, <strong>and</strong> is finished, as you know. My brethren<br />

here have prevented me from sending it to you written on paper, <strong>and</strong> have told me that they<br />

2940 Placed in 375.<br />

2941 It is doubtful whether this Elpidius is to be identified with any other of the same name mentioned in<br />

the letters.<br />

2942 On the withdrawal of Gregory of Nyssa, cf. note, p. 267.<br />

2943 Doara was one of the bishoprics in Cappadocia Secunda under Tyana; now Hadji Bektash. Ramsay,<br />

Hist. Geog. Asia Minor, p. 287.<br />

2944 i.e.Demosthenes. Such language may seem inconsistent with the tone of Letter ccxxv., but that, it will<br />

be remembered, was an official <strong>and</strong> formal document, while the present letter is addressed to an intimate friend.<br />

2945 Possibly another hit at Demosthenes. <strong>The</strong> name might be thought to fit Anthimus, but with him Basil<br />

had made peace. cf. Letter ccx.<br />

To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium.<br />

757

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