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

To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium.Letter CC. 2723To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium.I am attacked by sickness after sickness, and all the work given me, not only by the affairsof the Church, but by those who are troubling the Church, has detained me during the wholewinter, and up to the present time. It has been therefore quite impossible for me to sendany one to you or to pay you a visit. I conjecture that you are similarly situated; not, indeed,as to sickness, God forbid; may the Lord grant you continued health for carrying out Hiscommandments. But I know that the care of the Churches gives you the same distress as itdoes me. I was now about to send some one to get me accurate information about yourcondition. But when my well beloved son Meletius, who is moving the newly enlisted troops,reminded me of the opportunity of my saluting you by him, I gladly accepted the occasionto write and had recourse to the kind services of the conveyor of my letter. He is one whomay himself serve instead of a letter, both because of his amiable disposition, and of hisbeing well acquainted with all which concerns me. By him, then, I beseech your reverenceespecially to pray for me, that the Lord may grant to me a riddance from this troublesomebody of mine; to His Churches, peace; and to you, rest; and, whenever you have settled theaffairs of Lycaonia in apostolic fashion, as you have began, an opportunity to visit also thisplace. Whether I be sojourning in the flesh, or shall have been already bidden to take mydeparture to the Lord, I hope that you will interest yourself in our part of the world, as yourown, as indeed it is, strengthening all that is weak, rousing all that is slothful and, by thehelp of the Spirit Which abides in you, transforming everything into a condition wellpleasing to the Lord. My very honourable sons, Meletius and Melitius, whom you haveknown for some time, and know to be devoted to yourself, keep in your good care and prayfor them. This is enough to keep them in safety. Salute in my name, I beg you, all who arewith your holiness, both all the clergy, and all the laity under your pastoral care, and myvery religious brothers and fellow ministers. Bear in mind the memory of the blessed martyrEupsychius, and do not wait for me to mention him again. Do not take pains to come onthe exact day, but anticipate it, and so give me joy, if I be yet living on this earth. Till thenmay you, by the grace of the Holy One, be preserved for me and for God’s Churches, enjoyinghealth and wealth in the Lord, and praying for me.2723 Placed in 375.686