13.07.2015 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

To the Alex<strong>and</strong>rians.great afflictions. “For some had trial of cruel mockings <strong>and</strong> scourgings, <strong>and</strong> others weresawn asunder <strong>and</strong> were slain with the sword.” 2461 These are the glories of saints. Blessedis he who is deemed worthy to suffer for Christ; more blessed is he whose sufferings aregreater, since “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with theglory that shall be revealed in us.” 24622. Had it but been possible for me to travel to you I should have liked nothing betterthan to meet you, that I might see <strong>and</strong> embrace Christ’s athletes, <strong>and</strong> share your prayers<strong>and</strong> spiritual graces. But now my body is wasted by long sickness, so that I can scarcelyeven leave my bed, <strong>and</strong> there are many who are lying in wait for me, like ravening wolves,watching the moment when they may be able to rend Christ’s sheep. I have therefore beencompelled to visit you by letter; <strong>and</strong> I exhort you first of all most earnestly to pray for me,that for the rest of my remaining days or hours I may be enabled to serve the Lord, in accordancewith the gospel of His kingdom. Next I beg you to pardon me for my absence <strong>and</strong>for my delay in writing to you. I have only with great difficulty found a man able to carryout my wishes. I speak of my son, the monk Eugenius, by whom I beseech you to pray forme <strong>and</strong> for the whole Church, <strong>and</strong> to write back news of you so that, when I hear, I may bemore cheerful.2461 cf. Heb. xi. 36, 37.2462 Rom. viii. 18.588

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!