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

Without address. In the case of a trainer.Without address. 2509 In the case of a trainer.Letter CLV. 2508I am at a loss how to defend myself against all the complaints contained in the first andonly letter which your lordship has been so good as to send me. It is not that there is anylack of right on my side, but because among so many charges it is hard to select the mostvital, and fix on the point at which I ought to begin to apply a remedy. Perhaps, if I followthe order of your letter, I shall come upon each in turn. Up to to-day I knew nothing aboutthose who are setting out for Scythia; nor had any one told me even of those who came fromyour house, so that I might greet you by them, although I am anxious to seize every opportunityof greeting your lordship. To forget you in my prayers is impossible, unless first Iforget the work to which God has called me, for assuredly, faithful as by God’s grace youare, you remember all the prayers 2510 of the Church; how we pray also for our brethrenwhen on a journey and offer prayer in the holy church for those who are in the army, andfor those who speak for the sake of the Lord’s name, and for those who show the fruits ofthe Spirit. In most, or all of these, I reckon your lordship to be included. How could I everforget you, as far as I am individually concerned, when I have so many reasons to stir meto recollection, such a sister, such nephews, such kinsfolk, so good, so fond of me, house,household, and friends? By all these, even against my will, I am perforce reminded of yourgood disposition. As to this, however, our brother has brought me no unpleasant news, norhas any decision been come to by me which could do him any injury. Free, then, thechorepiscopus and myself from all blame, and grieve rather over those who have made falsereports. If our learned friend wishes to bring an action against me, he has law courts andlaws. In this I beg you not to blame me. In all the good deeds that you do, you are layingup treasure for yourself; you are preparing for yourself in the day of retribution the samerefreshment which you are providing for those who are persecuted for the sake of the nameof the Lord. If you send the relics of the martyrs home you will do well; as you write thatthe persecution there is, even now, causing martyrs to the Lord. 25112508 Placed in 373.2509 Supposed by Maran (Vit. Bas.) to be Julius Soranus, a relative of Basil, and dux of Scythia. Maran supposesthat a copyist added these words to the title because Soranus was “a trainer” (αλείπτης) and encourager ofmartyrs; in Letter clxiv. Basil calls Ascholius “a trainer” of the martyr Sabas.2510 κηρύγματα. On St. Basil’s use of this word for decree, vide De Sp. S.c. 66. Here it seems to have theforce of an appointed liturgy. cf. the letter of Firmilianus to Cyprian. (Ep. Cyp. 75.)2511 This is one of the earliest references to the preservation of relics. So late as the case of St. Fructuosus(Acta SS. Fructuosi, etc.), who died at Tarragona in 259, the friends are forbidden to keep the relics. On St.Basil’s views on the subject, cf. Hom. in Mart. Jul. 2 and Hom. de SS. xl. MM. 8. So Gregory of Nyssa, Hom. i.608