Letter XXVII.255    Placed in 368.

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata.256    This, the first of twenty-two letters addressed by Basil to Eusebius of Samosata, has no particular interest.  Eusebius, the friend of Basil, Gregory of Nazianzus, and of Meletius, was bishop of Samosata (in Commagene on the Euphrates, now Samsat) from 360 to 373, and was of high character and sound opinions.  Theodoret (Ecc. Hist. iv. 15), in mentioning his exile to Thrace in the persecution under Valens, calls him “that unflagging labourer in apostolic work,” and speaks warmly of his zeal.  Concerning the singular and touching circumstances of his death, vide Theodoret, E.H. v. 4, and my note in the edition of this series, p. 134.

When by God’s grace, and the aid of your prayers, I had seemed to be somewhat recovering from my sickness, and had got my strength again, then came winter, keeping me a prisoner at home, and compelling me to remain where I was.  True, its severity was much less than usual, but this was quite enough to keep me not merely from travelling while it lasted, but even from so much as venturing to put my head out of doors.  But to me it is no slight thing to be permitted, if only by letter, to communicate with your reverence, and to rest tranquil in the hope of your reply.  However, should the season permit, and further length of life be allowed me, and should the dearth not prevent me from undertaking the journey,257    Samosata was about two hundred miles distant from Cæsarea, as the crow flies. peradventure through the aid of your prayers I may be able to fulfil my earnest wish, may find you at your own fireside, and, with abundant leisure, may take my fill of your vast treasures of wisdom.

ΕΥΣΕΒΙῼ ΕΠΙΣΚΟΠῼ ΣΑΜΟΣΑΤΩΝ

[1] Ὅτε, τῇ τοῦ Θεοῦ χάριτι καὶ τῇ βοηθείᾳ τῶν σῶν προσευχῶν, μικρὸν ἀναφέρειν ἐκ τῆς ἀρρωστίας ἔδοξα καὶ ἀνελεξάμην ἐμαυτοῦ τὰς δυνάμεις, τότε ὁ χειμὼν ἐπεγένετο, οἴκοι κατείργων ἡμᾶς καὶ κατὰ χώραν μένειν συναναγκάζων. Εἰ γὰρ καὶ πολλῷ κουφότερος τῆς συνηθείας ἀπήντησεν, ἀλλ' οὖν ἔμοιγε ἱκανὸς εἰς ἐμπόδιον οὐχ ὅπως ὁδοιπορεῖν δι' ἐμαυτοῦ, ἀλλ' οὐδὲ μικρὸν προκύπτειν τοῦ δωματίου δύνασθαι. Ἔστι δέ μοι οὐδὲ τοῦτο μικρόν, τὸ καταξιοῦσθαι διὰ γραμμάτων ὁμιλεῖν τῇ θεοσεβείᾳ σου καὶ τῇ ἐλπίδι τῶν ἀντιδόσεων ἤδη προαναπαύεσθαι. Εἰ δὲ ὁ καιρὸς ἐνδοίη καὶ τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῖν ἔτι λείποιτο χρόνος καὶ μὴ ἄπορον ἡμῖν τὴν ὁδὸν ὁ λιμὸς ἀπεργάσαιτο, ταχὺ ἂν τύχοιμεν τῆς ἐπιθυμίας διὰ τῶν σῶν προσευχῶν καί, ἐπὶ τῆς ἑστίας σε καταλαβόντες, κατὰ πᾶσαν σχολὴν τῶν μεγάλων θησαυρῶν τῆς ἐν σοὶ σοφίας ἐμφορηθείημεν.