NPNF2-08. Basil: Letters and Select Works - Holy Bible Institute

The Presbyterate.V.—The Presbyterate.Not long after the accession of Valens, Basil was ordained presbyter by Eusebius. 104An earlier date has been suggested, but the year 364 is accepted as fitting in better with thewords of Gregory 105 on the free speech conceded to heretics. And from the same Letter itmay be concluded that the ordination of Basil, like that of Gregory himself, was not whollyvoluntary, and that he was forced against his inclinations to accept duties when he hesitatedas to his liking and fitness for them. It was about this time that he wrote his Books againstEunomius; 106 and it may possibly have been this work which specially commended him toEusebius. However this may be, there is no doubt that he was soon actively engaged in thepractical work of the diocese, and made himself very useful to Eusebius. But Basil’s veryvigour and value seem to have been the cause of some alienation between him and hisbishop. His friend Gregory gives us no details, but it may be inferred from what he saysthat he thought Basil ill-used. 107 And allusions of Basil have been supposed to imply hisown sense of discourtesy and neglect. 108 The position became serious. Bishops who hadobjected to the tumultuary nomination of Eusebius, and had with difficulty been inducedto maintain the lawfulness of his consecration, were ready to consecrate Basil in his place.But Basil shewed at once his wisdom and his magnanimity. A division of the orthodoxclergy of Cappadocia would be full of danger to the cause. He would accept no personaladvancement to the damage of the Church. He retired with his friend Gregory to hisxx104 It will have been noted that I have accepted the authority of Philostorgius that he was already deacon.The argument employed by Tillemont against this statement is the fact of no distinct diaconate being mentionedby Gregory of Nazianzus. But the silence of Gregory does not conclusively outweigh the distinct ἔτι τάξινδιακόνου ἔχων of Philostorgius; and a diaconate is supported by the mistaken statement of Socrates (H.E. iv.26) that the deacon’s orders were conferred by Meletius.105 Greg. Naz., Ep. viii.106 cf. Ep. xx.107 Greg. Naz., Orat. xliii. 28, Epp. xvi.–xvii.108 e.g. Hom. in Is. i. 57, ἀλαζονεία γὰρ δεινὴ τὸ μηδενὸς οἴεσθαι χρῄζειν.24