Letter 183: Seeing, as I do, that temptation is now spread all over the world, and that the greater cities of Syria have been tried by the same sufferings as yourselves, (though, indeed, nowhere is the Senate so approved and renowned for good works, as your own, noted as you are for your righteous zeal,) I all but thank the troubles which have befallen you....

From: Basil, Bishop of Caesarea To: The Senate of Samosata Date: ~367 AD Context: Basil writes to the civic leaders of Samosata to praise their steadfastness during the persecution of their bishop Eusebius, urging them to hold firm. Most excellent senators, I see temptation spread across the entire world. The great cities of Syria have been tried by the same sufferings as yours -- though truly, nowhere is the Senate so tested and renowned for good works as your own, famous as you are for your righteous zeal. I almost thank the troubles that have fallen upon you, for without this trial, the proof of your character would never have been known. To all who earnestly strive for any good, the suffering they endure for the sake of their hope in God is what a furnace is to gold. So take heart, most excellent sirs. Let the labors you are about to undertake be worthy of those you have already borne. On a firm foundation, build an even worthier finish. Stand ready to gather around your shepherd when the Lord grants him to be seen again on his own throne -- each of you with some good deed done for the Church of God to report. On the great day of the Lord, each person, in proportion to his labors, will receive his reward from the generous Lord. By remembering me and writing as often as you can, you will be doing what justice requires in sending a reply -- and you will give me great pleasure besides, by putting into writing a token of a voice I delight to hear.

ST. BASIL OF CAESAREA To the Senate of Samosata. Seeing, as I do, that temptation is now spread all over the world, and that the greater cities of Syria have been tried by the same sufferings as yourselves, (though, indeed, nowhere is the Senate so approved and renowned for good works, as your own, noted as you are for your righteous zeal,) I all but thank the troubles which have befallen you. For had not this affliction come to pass, your proof under trial would never have been known. To all that earnestly strive for any good, the affliction they endure for the sake of their hope in God is like a furnace to gold. Rouse ye, then, most excellent sirs, that the labours you are about to undertake may not be unworthy of those which you have already sustained, and that on a firm foundation you may be seen putting a yet worthier finish. Rouse ye, that you may stand round about the shepherd of the Church, when the Lord grants him to be seen on his own throne, telling each of you in his turn. some good deed done for the sake of the Church of God. On the great day of the Lord, each, according to the proportion of his labours, shall receive his recompense from the munificent Lord. By remembering me and writing to me as often as you can, you will be doing justice in sending me a reply, and will moreover give me very great pleasure, by sending me in writing a plain token of a voice which it is delightful to me to hear. About this page Source. Translated by Blomfield Jackson. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 8. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1895.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3202183.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.