Letter 142: I assembled all my brethren the chorepiscopi at the synod of the blessed martyr Eupsychius to introduce them to your excellency. On account of your absence they must be brought before you by letter. Know, therefore, this brother as being worthy to be trusted by your intelligence, because he fears the Lord.
I gathered all the regional bishops [chorepiscopi: rural bishops who served the countryside around major cities] for the feast of the blessed martyr Eupsychius [a local martyr of Caesarea, honored annually], hoping to introduce them to you in person. Since you weren't there, I'm making the introduction by letter instead.
Please trust the brother who carries this letter — he's a good man who fears God. He'll explain the situation regarding the poor in his area. Listen to him, and help however you can.
In particular, I'm asking you to grant a full tax exemption to the poorhouse [ptochotropheion: an early hospital/shelter for the destitute, a type of institution Basil pioneered] in his district. Your colleague has already agreed that the meager property of the poor shouldn't be taxed. I trust you'll do the same.
Human translation — New Advent (NPNF / ANF series)
Latin / Greek Original
[Πρός: Νουμεραρίῳ ἐπάρχων]
Συνήγαγον μὲν πάντας ἐν τῇ συνόδῳ τοῦ μακαρίου μάρτυρος Εὐψυχίου τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ἡμῶν τοὺς χωρεπισκόπους, ὥστε γνωρίμους ποιῆσαι τῇ τιμιότητί σου. ἐπεὶ δὲ ἀπελείφθης, διὰ γραμμάτων αὐτοὺς ἀναγκαῖόν ἐστι προσαχθῆναί σου τῇ τελειότητι. γνώριζε τοίνυν τὸν ἀδελφὸν τόνδε ἄξιον ὄντα τοῦ πιστεύεσθαι παρὰ τῆς σῆς φρονήσεως διὰ τὸν φόβον τοῦ Κυρίου. καὶ ἅπερ ἂν τῶν πτωχῶν ἕνεκεν ἀναφέρῃ σου τῇ ἀγαθῇ προαιρέσει, καταξίωσον ὡς ἀληθεύοντι πείθεσθαι καὶ τὴν δυνατὴν ἐπικουρίαν παρέχεσθαι τοῖς καταπονουμένοις. καταξιώσεις δὲ δηλονότι καὶ πτωχοτροφίαν τῆς συμμορίας τῆς ὑπʼ αὐτὸν ἐπισκέψασθαι καὶ πάντη ἀνεῖναι τῆς συντελείας. τοῦτο γὰρ ἤδη καὶ τῷ ἑταίρῳ σου συνήρεσε τὴν μικρὰν κτῆσιν τῶν πενήτων ἀλειτουργητον καταστῆσαι.
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