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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

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To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium.To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium.Letter CCXXXI. 2940I find few opportunities of writing to your reverence, <strong>and</strong> this causes me no little trouble.It is just the same as if, when it was in my power to see you <strong>and</strong> enjoy your society very often,I did so but seldom. But it is impossible for me to write to you because so few travel henceto you, otherwise there is no reason why my letter should not be a kind of journal of mylife, to tell you, my dear friend, everything that happens to me day by day. It is a comfortto me to tell you my affairs, <strong>and</strong> I know that you care for nothing more than for what concernsme. Now, however, Elpidius 2941 is going home to his own master, to refute the calumniesfalsely got up against him by certain enemies, <strong>and</strong> he has asked me for a letter. I thereforesalute your reverence by him <strong>and</strong> commend to you a man who deserves your protection, atonce for the sake of justice <strong>and</strong> for my own sake. Although I could say nothing else in hisfavour, yet, because he has made it of very great importance to be the bearer of my letter,reckon him among our friends, <strong>and</strong> remember me <strong>and</strong> pray for the Church.You must know that my very God-beloved brother is in exile, for he could not endurethe annoyance caused him by shameless persons. 2942 Doara 2943 is in a state of agitation,for the fat sea monster 2944 is throwing everything into confusion. My enemies, as I am informedby those who know, are plotting against me at court. But hitherto the h<strong>and</strong> of theLord has been over me. Only pray that I be not ab<strong>and</strong>oned in the end. My brother is takingthings quietly. Doara has received the old muleteer. 2945 She can do no more. The Lordwill scatter the counsels of my enemies. The one cure for all my troubles present <strong>and</strong> tocome is to set eyes on you. If you possibly can, while I am still alive, do come to see me.The book on the Spirit has been written by me, <strong>and</strong> is finished, as you know. My brethrenhere have prevented me from sending it to you written on paper, <strong>and</strong> have told me that they2940 Placed in 375.2941 It is doubtful whether this Elpidius is to be identified with any other of the same name mentioned inthe letters.2942 On the withdrawal of Gregory of Nyssa, cf. note, p. 267.2943 Doara was one of the bishoprics in Cappadocia Secunda under Tyana; now Hadji Bektash. Ramsay,Hist. Geog. Asia Minor, p. 287.2944 i.e.Demosthenes. Such language may seem inconsistent with the tone of Letter ccxxv., but that, it willbe remembered, was an official <strong>and</strong> formal document, while the present letter is addressed to an intimate friend.2945 Possibly another hit at Demosthenes. The name might be thought to fit Anthimus, but with him <strong>Basil</strong>had made peace. cf. Letter ccx.757

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