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

To Valerianus, Bishop of Illyricum.To Valerianus, Bishop of Illyricum. 2306Letter XCI. 2305Thanks be to the Lord, Who has permitted me to see in your unstained life the fruit ofprimitive love. Far apart as you are in body, you have united yourself to me by writing; youhave embraced me with spiritual and holy longing; you have implanted unspeakable affectionin my soul. Now I have realized the force of the proverb, “As cold water is to a thirsty soulso is good news from a far country.” 2307 Honoured brother, I really hunger for affection.The cause is not far to seek, for iniquity is multiplied and the love of many has growncold. 2308 For this reason your letter is precious to me, and I am replying by our reverendbrother Sabinus. By him I make myself known to you, and beseech you to be watchful inprayers on our behalf, that God may one day grant calm and quiet to the Church here, andrebuke this wind and sea, that so we may be freed from the storm and agitation in whichwe are now every moment expecting to be submerged. But in these our troubles one greatboon has God given us in hearing that you are in exact agreement and unity with one another,and that the doctrines of true religion are preached among you without let or hindrance.For at some time or other, unless the period of this world is not already concluded, and ifthere yet remain days of human life, it must needs be that by your means the faith must berenewed in the East and that in due season you recompense her for the blessings which shehas given you. The sound part among us here, which preserves the true religion of theFathers, is sore stricken, and the devil in his wiliness has shattered it by many and varioussubtle assaults. But, by the help of the prayers of you who love the Lord, may the wickedand deceitful heresy of the Arian error be quenched; may the good teaching of the Fathers,who met at Nicæa, shine forth; so that the ascription of glory may be rendered to the blessedTrinity in the terms of the baptism of salvation.2305 Placed in 372.2306 Or, in some mss., the Illyrians. Valerianus, bishop of Aquileia, was present at the Synod held in Romein 371 (Theodoret, Hist. Ecc. ii. 2.) and also at the Synod in the same city in 382. (Theod. Ecc. Hist. v. 9, wheresee note.) Dorotheus or Sabinus had brought letters from Athanasius and at the same time a letter from Valerianus.Basil takes the opportunity to reply.2307 Prov. v. 25.2308 cf. Matt. xxiv. 12.522