Letter 79: Even before receiving your letter I knew what trouble you are ready to undergo for every one, and specially for my humble self because I am exposed in this struggle. So when I received your letter from the reverend Eleusinius, and saw him actually before my face, I praised God for bestowing on me such a champion and comrade, in my struggles on b...
Basil of Caesarea→Eustathius Philosopher|c. 361 AD|basil caesarea
illnessimperial politics
To Eustathius, Bishop of Sebasteia [modern Sivas, in northeast Turkey],
I already knew, even before your letter arrived, how much trouble you're willing to take on for others — and especially for me, given the fight I'm in right now. So when I received your letter through the reverend Eleusinius and met him in person, I thanked God for sending me such an ally and partner in the struggle for true faith.
Here's where things stand: I've been under serious pressure from senior imperial officials — the prefect and the chief chamberlain [high-ranking officials in the emperor's court] have both been advocating for the other side. But so far, by God's mercy and the strength of the Spirit, I've held firm through every attack.
ST. BASIL OF CAESAREA
To Eustathius bishop of Sebastia.
Even before receiving your letter I knew what trouble you are ready to undergo for every one, and specially for my humble self because I am exposed in this struggle. So when I received your letter from the reverend Eleusinius, and saw him actually before my face, I praised God for bestowing on me such a champion and comrade, in my struggles on behalf of true religion by the aid of the Spirit. Be it known to your exalted reverence that I have hitherto sustained some attacks from high magistrates, and these no light ones; while both the prefect and the high chamberlain pleaded with sympathy for my opponents. But, so far, I have sustained every assault unmoved, by that mercy of God which supplies to me the aid of the Spirit, and strengthens my weakness through Him.
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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/3202079.htm>.
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To Eustathius, Bishop of Sebasteia [modern Sivas, in northeast Turkey],
I already knew, even before your letter arrived, how much trouble you're willing to take on for others — and especially for me, given the fight I'm in right now. So when I received your letter through the reverend Eleusinius and met him in person, I thanked God for sending me such an ally and partner in the struggle for true faith.
Here's where things stand: I've been under serious pressure from senior imperial officials — the prefect and the chief chamberlain [high-ranking officials in the emperor's court] have both been advocating for the other side. But so far, by God's mercy and the strength of the Spirit, I've held firm through every attack.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.