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| Without address. In the case of a trainer.
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Letter CLV.2508
Without address.2509
| 2509 Supposed by
Maran (Vit. Bas.) to be Julius Soranus, a relative of Basil,
and dux of Scythia. Maran supposes that a copyist added these
words to the title because Soranus was “a trainer”
(αλείπτης)
and encourager of martyrs; in Letter clxiv. Basil calls
Ascholius “a trainer” of the martyr
Sabas. | In the case of a
trainer.
I am at a loss how to
defend myself against all the complaints contained in the first and
only letter which your lordship has been so good as to send me.
It is not that there is any lack of right on my side, but because among
so many charges it is hard to select the most vital, and fix on the
point at which I ought to begin to apply a remedy. Perhaps, if I
follow the order of your letter, I shall come upon each in turn.
Up to to-day I knew nothing about those who are setting out for
Scythia; nor had any one told me even of those who came from your
house, so that I might greet you by them, although I am anxious to
seize every opportunity of greeting your lordship. To forget you
in my prayers is impossible, unless first I forget the work to which
God has called me, for assuredly, faithful as by God’s grace you
are, you remember all the prayers2510
| 2510 κηρύγματα.
On St. Basil’s use of this word for decree, vide De Sp.
S.c. 66. Here it seems to have the force of an
appointed liturgy. cf. the letter of Firmilianus to
Cyprian. (Ep. Cyp. 75.) | of the Church;
how we pray also for our brethren when on a journey and offer prayer in
the holy church for those who are in the army, and for those who speak
for the sake of the Lord’s name, and for those who show the
fruits of the Spirit. In most, or all of these, I reckon your
lordship to be included. How could I ever forget you, as far as I
am individually concerned, when I have so many reasons to stir me to
recollection, such a sister, such nephews, such kinsfolk, so good, so
fond of me, house, household, and friends? By all these, even
against my will, I am perforce reminded of your good disposition.
As to this, however, our brother has brought me no unpleasant news, nor
has any decision been come to by me which could do him any
injury. Free, then, the chorepiscopus and myself from all blame,
and grieve rather over those who have made false reports. If our
learned friend wishes to bring an action against me, he has law courts
and laws. In this I beg you not to blame me. In all the
good deeds that you do, you are laying up treasure for yourself; you
are preparing for yourself in the day of retribution the same
refreshment which you are providing for those who are persecuted for
the sake of the name of the Lord. If you send the relics of the
martyrs home you will do well; as you write that the persecution there
is, even now, causing martyrs to the Lord.2511
| 2511 This is one of
the earliest references to the preservation of relics. So late
as the case of St. Fructuosus (Acta SS. Fructuosi,
etc.), who died at Tarragona in 259, the friends are forbidden to
keep the relics. On St. Basil’s views on the subject,
cf. Hom. in Mart. Jul. 2 and Hom. de
SS. xl. MM. 8. So Gregory of Nyssa,
Hom. i. in xl. Mar. ii. 935.
As early as the time of St. Augustine (†430) a thriving trade
in forged relics had already begun. (Aug., De Opere
Monach. 28.) cf. Littledale’s Plain
Reasons, p. 51. | E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
|
