Letter 185: Although you do not write to me, I know that there is recollection of me in your heart; and this I infer, not because I am worthy of any favourable recollection, but because your soul is rich in abundance of love. Yet, as far as in you lies, use whatever opportunities you have of writing to me, to the end that I may both be cheered by hearing ne...
Basil of Caesarea→Theodotus, of Nicopolis|c. 368 AD|basil caesarea
From: Basil, Bishop of Caesarea
To: Theodotus, Bishop of Beraea
Date: ~368 AD
Context: A brief, warm appeal to a silent friend to exchange letters as their only means of connection across distance.
Even though you do not write to me, I know there is a place for me in your heart -- not because I am worthy of any special remembrance, but because your soul overflows with love. Still, as far as you are able, take whatever opportunities arise to write. That way I can be cheered by news of you, and you can have news of me. Letters are the only means of communication for those who live far apart. Let us not deprive each other of them, so far as our work permits.
But I pray God that we may one day meet in person -- that our love may deepen and our gratitude to our Master may multiply for his greater blessings.
ST. BASIL OF CAESAREA
To Theodotus, bishop of Beræa.
Although you do not write to me, I know that there is recollection of me in your heart; and this I infer, not because I am worthy of any favourable recollection, but because your soul is rich in abundance of love. Yet, as far as in you lies, use whatever opportunities you have of writing to me, to the end that I may both be cheered by hearing news of you, and have occasion to send you tidings of myself. This is the only mode of communication for those who live far apart. Do not let us deprive one another of it, so far as our labours will permit. But I pray God that we may meet in person, that our love may be increased, and that we may multiply gratitude to our Master for His greater boons.
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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/3202185.htm>.
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From:Basil, Bishop of Caesarea
To:Theodotus, Bishop of Beraea
Date:~368 AD
Context:A brief, warm appeal to a silent friend to exchange letters as their only means of connection across distance.
Even though you do not write to me, I know there is a place for me in your heart -- not because I am worthy of any special remembrance, but because your soul overflows with love. Still, as far as you are able, take whatever opportunities arise to write. That way I can be cheered by news of you, and you can have news of me. Letters are the only means of communication for those who live far apart. Let us not deprive each other of them, so far as our work permits.
But I pray God that we may one day meet in person -- that our love may deepen and our gratitude to our Master may multiply for his greater blessings.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.