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

To Meletius, bishop of Antioch.Letter LXXXIX. 2300To Meletius, bishop of Antioch.1. The eagerness of my longing is soothed by the opportunities which the merciful Godgives me of saluting your reverence. He Himself is witness of the earnest desire which Ihave to see your face, and to enjoy your good and soul-refreshing instruction. Now by myreverend and excellent brother Dorotheus, the deacon, who is setting out, first of all I begyou to pray for me that I be no stumbling block to the people, nor hindrance to your petitionsto propitiate the Lord. In the second place I would suggest that you would be so good as tomake all arrangements through the aforementioned brother; and, if it seems well that a lettershould be sent to the Westerns, because it is only right that communication should be madein writing even through our own messenger, that you will dictate the letter. I have metSabinus the deacon, sent by them, and have written to the bishops in Illyria, Italy, and Gaul,and to some of those who have written privately to myself. For it is right that some oneshould be sent in the common interests of the Synod, conveying a second letter which I begyou to have written.2. As to what concerns the right reverend bishop Athanasius, your intelligence is alreadyaware of what I will mention, that it is impossible for anything to be advanced by my letters,or for any desirable objects to be carried out, unless by some means or other he receivescommunion from you, who at that time postponed it. He is described as being very anxiousto unite with me, and to be willing to contribute all he can, but to be sorry that he was sentaway without communion, and that the promise still remains unfulfilled. 2301What is going on in the East cannot have failed to reach your reverence’s ears, but theaforementioned brother will give you more accurate information by word of mouth. Be sogood as to dispatch him directly after Easter, because of his waiting for the answer fromSamosata. Look kindly on his zeal strengthen him by your prayers and so dispatch him onthis commission.1762300 Placed in the year 372.2301 It is the contention of Tillemont that this cannot apply to the great Athanasius, to whom Meletius is notlikely to have refused communion, but is more probably to be referred to some other unknown Athanasius.Maran, however, points out (Vit. Bas. xxii.) not only how the circumstances fit in, but how the statement thatcommunion was refused by Meletius is borne out by Letter cclviii. § 3, q.v. Athanasius was in fact so far committedto the other side in the unhappy Antiochene dispute that it was impossible for him to recognise Meletius.cf. Newman, Church of the Fathers, chap. vii.519