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

ordered a second synod of bishops of Galatia and Pontus to be assembled at Nyssa. 3008
They have submitted, have met, and have sent to the Churches a man of whose character I
do not like to speak; but your reverence can well understand what sort of a man he must be
who would put himself at the disposal of such counsels of men. 3009 Now, while I am thus
writing, the same gang have hurried to Sebaste to unite with Eustathius, and, with him, to
upset the Church of Nicopolis. For the blessed Theodotus has fallen asleep. Hitherto the
Nicopolitans have bravely and stoutly resisted the vicar’s first assault; for he tried to persuade
them to receive Eustathius, and to accept their bishop on his appointment. But, on seeing
them unwilling to yield, he is now trying, by yet more violent action, to effect the establishment
of the bishop whom it has been attempted to give them. 3010 There is, moreover, said
to be some rumoured expectation of a synod, by which means they mean to summon me
to receive them into communion, or to be friendly with them. Such is the position of the
Churches. As to my own health, I think it better to say nothing. I cannot bear not to tell
the truth, and by telling the truth I shall only grieve you.
3008 Mansi iii. 502. The fruitlessness of Ancyra necessitated a second. On Gregory’s deposition and banish-
ment, see Greg. Nyss., De Vit Macr. ii. 192, and Ep. xviii. and xxii. Also Greg. Naz., Ep. cxlii.
3009 Tillemont supposes this to refer to some one sent on a visitation to the Churches. The Ben. note prefers
to apply it to the unknown intruder into the see of Nyssa, of whom Basil speaks with yet greater contempt in
Letter ccxxxix.
3010 i.e. Fronto.
To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata.
774