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

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

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To the citizens of Satala.Letter CII. 2357To the citizens of Satala. 2358Moved by your importunity <strong>and</strong> that of all your people, I have undertaken the chargeof your Church, <strong>and</strong> have promised before the Lord that I will be wanting to you in nothingwhich is within my power. So I have been compelled, as it is written, to touch as it were theapple of my eye. 2359 Thus the high honour in which I hold you has suffered me to rememberneither relationship, nor the intimacy which I have had from my boyhood with the personin question, as making a stronger dem<strong>and</strong> on me than your request. I have forgotten all theprivate considerations which made him near <strong>and</strong> dear to me, making no account of thesighs which will be heaved by all my people on being deprived of his rule, none of the tearsof all his kindred; nor have I taken to heart the affliction of his aged mother, who is supportedby his aid alone. All these considerations, great <strong>and</strong> many as they are, I have put aside,keeping only in view the one object of giving your Church the blessing of the rule of sucha man, <strong>and</strong> of aiding her, now distressed as she is, at being so long without a head, <strong>and</strong>needing great <strong>and</strong> powerful support to be enabled to rise again. So much for what concernsmyself. Now, on the other h<strong>and</strong>, I ask you not to fall short of the hope which I have entertained<strong>and</strong> of the promises which I have made him, that I have sent him to close friends. Iask every one of you to try to surpass the rest in love <strong>and</strong> affection to him. I entreat you toshow this laudable rivalry, <strong>and</strong> to comfort his heart by the greatness of your attentions tohim, that he may forget his own home, forget his kinsfolk, <strong>and</strong> forget a people so dependenton his rule, like a child weaned from his mother’s breast.I have despatched Nicias beforeh<strong>and</strong> to explain everything to your excellencies, <strong>and</strong>that you may fix a day to keep the feast <strong>and</strong> give thanks to the Lord, Who has granted thefulfilment of your prayer. 23602357 Placed in 372.2358 On the appointment of a bishop for that see in the North East of Armenia Minor.2359 cf. Zech. ii. 8.2360 The relative referred to is Pœmenius. cf. Letter cxxii.539

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