Letter 31: The death is still with us, and I am therefore compelled to remain where I am, partly by the duty of distribution, and partly out of sympathy for the distressed. Even now, therefore, I have not been able to accompany our reverend brother Hypatius, whom I am able to style brother, not in mere conventional language, but on account of relationship...
Basil of Caesarea→Eusebius, Archbishop of Thessalonica|c. 359 AD|basil caesarea
famine plaguegrief deathillnessmonasticism
Travel & mobility; Death & mourning
From: Basil of Caesarea
To: Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata
Date: ~371 AD
Context: Basil explains why he cannot travel — the famine is still severe and he is needed for relief distribution — and asks Eusebius to help care for his ailing brother Hypatius.
The famine is still with us, and I am therefore compelled to stay where I am — partly by the duty of distributing relief, and partly out of sympathy for those who are suffering. So even now I have not been able to travel with our reverend brother Hypatius, whom I can call "brother" not as a mere formality but because of actual kinship — we share the same blood.
You know how ill he is. It grieves me to think that all hope of recovery is being cut off for him, since those who possess the gifts of healing have not been permitted to apply their usual treatments in his case. He therefore once again implores the help of your prayers.
I ask that you give him your customary care — both for your own sake, since you are always kind to the sick, and for mine, since I am petitioning on his behalf. If possible, summon the holy brothers to your side so that he can be treated under your own supervision. If that is not possible, please send him on with a letter of recommendation to friends further along the way.
ST. BASIL OF CAESAREA
To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata.
The death is still with us, and I am therefore compelled to remain where I am, partly by the duty of distribution, and partly out of sympathy for the distressed. Even now, therefore, I have not been able to accompany our reverend brother Hypatius, whom I am able to style brother, not in mere conventional language, but on account of relationship, for we are of one blood. You know how ill he is. It distresses me to think that all hope of comfort is cut off for him, as those who have the gifts of healing have not been allowed to apply their usual remedies in his case. Wherefore again he implores the aid of your prayers. Receive my entreaty that you will give him the usual protection alike for your own sake, for you are always kind to the sick, and for mine who am petitioning on his behalf. If possible, summon to your side the very holy brethren that he may be treated under your own eyes. If this be impossible, be so good as to send him on with a letter, and recommend him to friends further on.
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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/3202031.htm>.
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From:Basil of Caesarea
To:Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata
Date:~371 AD
Context:Basil explains why he cannot travel — the famine is still severe and he is needed for relief distribution — and asks Eusebius to help care for his ailing brother Hypatius.
The famine is still with us, and I am therefore compelled to stay where I am — partly by the duty of distributing relief, and partly out of sympathy for those who are suffering. So even now I have not been able to travel with our reverend brother Hypatius, whom I can call "brother" not as a mere formality but because of actual kinship — we share the same blood.
You know how ill he is. It grieves me to think that all hope of recovery is being cut off for him, since those who possess the gifts of healing have not been permitted to apply their usual treatments in his case. He therefore once again implores the help of your prayers.
I ask that you give him your customary care — both for your own sake, since you are always kind to the sick, and for mine, since I am petitioning on his behalf. If possible, summon the holy brothers to your side so that he can be treated under your own supervision. If that is not possible, please send him on with a letter of recommendation to friends further along the way.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.