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

To Ambrose, bishop of Milan.they have served. Whoever honours men that have contended for the faith proves that hehas like zeal for it. One single action is proof of much virtue.I wish to acquaint your love in Christ that the very zealous brethren who have beencommissioned by your reverence to act for you in this good work have won praise for allthe clergy by the amiability of their manners; for by their individual modesty and conciliatorinessthey have shewn the sound condition of all. Moreover, with all zeal and diligencethey have braved an inclement season; and with unbroken perseverance have persuadedthe faithful guardians of the blessed body to transmit to them the custody of what they haveregarded as the safeguard of their lives. And you must understand that they are men whowould never have been forced by any human authority or sovereignty, had not the perseveranceof these brethren moved them to compliance. No doubt a great aid to the attainmentof the object desired was the presence of our well beloved and reverend son Therasius thepresbyter. He voluntarily undertook all the toil of the journey; he moderated the energy ofthe faithful on the spot; he persuaded opponents by his arguments; in the presence of priestsand deacons, and of many others who fear the Lord, he took up the relics with all becomingreverence, and has aided the brethren in their preservation. These relics do you receive witha joy equivalent to the distress with which their custodians have parted with them and sentthem to you. Let none dispute; let none doubt. Here you have that unconquered athlete.These bones, which shared in the conflict with the blessed soul, are known to the Lord.These bones He will crown, together with that soul, in the righteous day of His requital, asit is written, “we must stand before the judgment seat of Christ, that each may give an accountof the deeds he has done in the body.” 2689 One coffin held that honoured corpse. Noneother lay by his side. The burial was a noble one; the honours of a martyr were paid him.Christians who had welcomed him as a guest and then with their own hands laid him in thegrave, have now disinterred him. They have wept as men bereaved of a father and a champion.But they have sent him to you, for they put your joy before their own consolation.Pious were the hands that gave; scrupulously careful were the hands that received. Therehas been no room for deceit; no room for guile. I bear witness to this. Let the untaintedtruth be accepted by you.2689 cf. Rom. xiv. 10 and 2 Cor. v. 10.676