Letter 82: When I turn my gaze upon the world, and perceive the difficulties by which every effort after good is obstructed, like those of a man walking in fetters, I am brought to despair of myself. But then I direct my gaze in the direction of your reverence; I remember that our Lord has appointed you to be physician of the diseases in the Churches; and ...

To Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria [the most influential defender of Nicene orthodoxy in the 4th century, exiled five times for his beliefs]. When I look at the state of the world and see how every effort to do good is blocked — like a man trying to walk in chains — I fall into despair. But then I think of you, and I remember that the Lord appointed you as the doctor for what ails the Churches. That thought lifts me out of my despair and gives me hope. You already know how dire things are. You see everything, as if watching from a high tower. Picture a fleet of ships caught in a storm, smashing into each other — some wrecked by the waves from outside, others by the sailors' own confusion and infighting. That is the Church right now. I don't need to say more. You understand. Who can pilot us through this storm? Who is worthy to call on the Lord to calm the wind and sea? Only someone who has fought for the true faith since boyhood — and that is you. Here is why I'm writing. Everyone among us who still holds to sound doctrine wants fellowship and unity with others who share our beliefs. So we are asking you, with confidence: send us a letter advising what we should do. That letter could be the starting point for communication that leads to real unity. [Context: The "Arian crisis" had fractured the Eastern churches into competing factions. Even bishops who agreed on core theology were out of communion with each other due to political divisions and mutual suspicion. Basil was trying to broker reconciliation, with Athanasius as the trusted authority.] I know you may be suspicious of some of these bishops, given what's happened in the past. So here is what I propose, Father: send me the letters addressed to the bishops — either through someone you trust in Alexandria, or through our brother Dorotheus the deacon. I will hold the letters and not deliver them until I have secured the bishops' replies. If I fail, let me bear the blame forever. That last phrase — "let me bear the blame forever" — is what Judah said to his father Jacob [Genesis 43:9, when pledging to protect Benjamin in Egypt]. It should strike me with even more awe saying it to my spiritual father than it struck Judah saying it to his. But if you've given up hope entirely on this effort, then at least clear me of any blame for trying. I undertook this role as mediator sincerely and simply, out of a desire for peace and fellowship among all who believe the same things about the Lord.

ST. BASIL OF CAESAREA To Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria. When I turn my gaze upon the world, and perceive the difficulties by which every effort after good is obstructed, like those of a man walking in fetters, I am brought to despair of myself. But then I direct my gaze in the direction of your reverence; I remember that our Lord has appointed you to be physician of the diseases in the Churches; and I recover my spirits, and rise from the depression of despair to the hope of better things. As your wisdom well knows, the whole Church is undone. And you see everything in all directions in your mind's eye like a man looking from some tall watch tower, as when at sea many ships sailing together are all dashed one against the other by the violence of the waves, and shipwreck arises in some cases from the sea being furiously agitated from without, in others from the disorder of the sailors hindering and crowding one another. It is enough to present this picture, and to say no more. Your wisdom requires nothing farther, and the present state of affairs does not allow me freedom of speech. What capable pilot can be found in such a storm? Who is worthy to rouse the Lord to rebuke the wind and the sea? Who but he who from his boyhood fought a good fight on behalf of true religion? Since now truly all that is sound among us is moving in the direction of fellowship and unity with those who are of the same opinion, we have come confidently to implore you to send us a single letter, advising us what is to be done. In this way they wish that they may have a beginning of communication which may promote unity. They may, perhaps, be suspected by you, when you remember the past, and therefore, most God-beloved Father, do as follows; send me the letters to the bishops, either by the hand of some one in whom you place trust in Alexandria, or by the hand of our brother Dorotheus the deacon: when I have received these letters I will not deliver them till I have got the bishops' answers; if not, let me bear the blame forever. Genesis 43:9 Truly this ought not to have struck more awe into him who first uttered it to his father, than into me who now say it to my spiritual father. If however you altogether renounce this hope, at least free me from all blame in acting as I have, for I have undertaken this message and mediation in all sincerity and simplicity, from desire for peace and the mutual intercourse of all who think alike about the Lord. 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/3202082.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.