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

To Epiphanius the bishop.our own Palladius, 3134 and Innocent the Italian, in answer to their letters to me, that it isimpossible for me to make even the slightest addition to the Nicene Creed, except theascription of Glory to the Holy Ghost, because our Fathers treated this point cursorily, noquestion having at that time arisen concerning the Spirit. As to the additions it is proposedto make to that Creed, concerning the incarnation of our Lord, I have neither tested noraccepted them, as being beyond my comprehension. 3135 I know well that, if once we beginto interfere with the simplicity of the Creed, we shall embark on interminable discussion,contradiction ever leading us on and on, and shall but disturb the souls of simpler folk bythe introduction of new phrases. 31363. As to the Church at Antioch (I mean that which is in agreement in the same doctrine),may the Lord grant that one day we may see it united. It is in peril of being specially opento the attacks of the enemy, who is angry with it because there the name of Christian firstobtained. 3137 There heresy is divided against orthodoxy, and orthodoxy is divided againstherself. 3138 My position, however, is this. The right reverend bishop Meletius was the firstto speak boldly for the truth, and fought that good fight in the days of Constantine. Thereforemy Church has felt strong affection towards him, for the sake of that brave and firm stand,and has held communion with him. I, therefore, by God’s grace, have held him to be incommunion up to this time; and, if God will, I shall continue to do so. Moreover the veryblessed Pope Athanasius came from Alexandria, and was most anxious that communionshould be established between Meletius and himself; but by the malice of counsellors theirconjunction was put off to another season. Would that this had not been so! I have neveraccepted communion with any one of those who have since been introduced into the see,not because I count them unworthy, but because I see no ground for the condemnation ofMeletius. Nevertheless I have heard many things about the brethren, without giving heedto them, because the accused were not brought face to face with their accusers, accordingto that which is written, “Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what3134 This Palladius may possibly be identified with the Palladius of Cæsarea of Athanasius, Ep. ad Pall.Migne, Pat. xxvi. 1167, and in the Ath. of this series, p. 580.3135 The Ben. note remarks “Cum nonnulli formulæ Nicenæ aliquid de Incarnatione adderent adcomprimendos Apollinaristas, id Basilius nec examinaverat,” etc. I rather understand the present προσυφαίνομεναto refer to the proposals of Innocent to Palladius.3136 Yet Basil will admit an addition which he holds warranted, in the case of the glorification of the Spirit,and would doubtless have acquiesced in the necessity of the additions finally victorious in 451.3137 cf. note on Theodoret in this series, p. 320.3138 In 377 Meletius was in exile, and Paulinus the bishop of the “old Catholics,” or Eustathians (Soc., H.E.iv. 2, v. 5) opposing Vitalius, who was consecrated to the episcopate by Apollinaris. On the confusion resultingfrom these three nominally orthodox claimants, vide Jerome’s Letter xvi. in this series, p. 20.810