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

To Amphilochius, the Canons.Letter CCXVII.To Amphilochius, the Canons. 2826On my return from a long journey (for I have been into Pontus on ecclesiastical business,and to visit my relations) with my body weak and ill, and my spirits considerably broken, Itook your reverence’s letter into my hand. No sooner did I receive the tokens of that voicewhich to me is of all voices the sweetest, and of that hand that I love so well, than I forgotall my troubles. And if I was made so much more cheerful by the receipt of your letter, youought to be able to conjecture at what value I price your actual presence. May this begranted me by the Holy One, whenever it may be convenient to you and you yourself sendme an invitation. And if you were to come to the house at Euphemias it would indeed bepleasant for me to meet you, escaping from my vexations here, and hastening to your unfeignedaffection. Possibly also for other reasons I may be compelled to go as far as Nazianzusby the sudden departure of the very God-beloved bishop Gregory. How or why this hascome to pass, so far I have no information. 2827 The man about whom I had spoken to yourexcellency, and whom you expected to be ready by this time, has, you must know, fallen illof a lingering disease, and is moreover now suffering from an affection of the eyes, arisingfrom his old complaint and from the illness which has now befallen him, and he is quiteunfit to do any work. I have no one else with me. It is consequently better, although thematter was left by them to me, for some one to be put forward by them. And indeed onecannot but think that the expressions were used merely as a necessary form, and that whatthey really wished was what they originally requested, that the person selected for the leadershipshould be one of themselves. If there is any one of the lately baptized, 2828 whether2826 The third canonical letter, written on Basil’s return from Pontus, in 375.2827 This is the sudden disappearance of Gregory from Nazianzus at the end of 375, which was due at onceto his craving for retirement and his anxiety not to complicate the appointment of a successor to his father (whodied early in 374) in the see of Nazianzus. He found a refuge in the monastery of Thecla at the Isaurian Seleucia.(Carm. xi. 549.)2828 The Ben. note appositely points out that any astonishment, such as expressed by Tillemont, at the consecrationof a neophyte, is quite out of place, in view of the exigencies of the times and the practice of postponingbaptism. St. Ambrose at Milan and Nectarius at Constantinople were not even “neophytes,” but were actuallyunbaptized at the time of their appointment to their respective sees. “If there is any one among the lately baptized,”argues the Ben. note, is tantamount to saying “If there is any one fit to be bishop.”721