13.07.2015 Views

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

To Barses, bishop of Edessa, in exile.To Barses, bishop of Edessa, in exile.Letter CCLXVII. 3213For the sake of the affection which I entertain for you, I long to be with you, to embraceyou, my dear friend, in person, <strong>and</strong> to glorify the Lord Who is magnified in you, <strong>and</strong> hasmade your honourable old age renowned among all them that fear Him throughout theworld. But severe sickness afflicts me, <strong>and</strong> to a greater degree than I can express in words,I am weighed down by the care of the Churches. I am not my own master, to go whither Iwill, <strong>and</strong> to visit whom I will. Therefore I am trying to satisfy the longing I have for thegood gifts in you by writing to you, <strong>and</strong> I beseech your reverence to pray for me <strong>and</strong> for theChurch, that the Lord may grant to me to pass the remaining days or hours of my sojournhere without offence. May He permit me to see the peace of His Churches. Of your fellowministers<strong>and</strong> fellow-athletes may I hear all that I pray for, <strong>and</strong> of yourself that you aregranted such a lot as the people under you seek for by day <strong>and</strong> by night from the Lord ofrighteousness. I have not written often, not even so often as I ought, but I have written toyour reverence. Possibly the brethren to whom I committed my greetings were not able topreserve them. But now that I have found some of my brethren travelling to your excellency,I have readily entrusted my letter to them, <strong>and</strong> I have sent some messages which I beg youto receive from my humility without disdain, <strong>and</strong> to bless me after the manner of the patriarchIsaac. 3214 I have been much occupied, <strong>and</strong> have had my mind drowned in a multiplicity ofcares. So it may well be that I have omitted something which I ought to have said. If so, donot reckon it against me; <strong>and</strong> do not be grieved. Act in all things up to your own highcharacter, that I, like every one else, may enjoy the fruit of your virtue. May you be grantedto me <strong>and</strong> to the Church, in good health, rejoicing in the Lord, praying for me.3073213 Placed in 377, or in the beginning of 378.3214 Gen. xxvii. 27.834

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!