Basil of Caesarea, Letters

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Basil of Caesarea, Letters

Much distressed as I was by the flouts of what is called fortune, who always seems to be hindering my meeting you, I was wonderfully cheered and comfo

Basil to Gregory .

To Candidianus .

To the wife of Nectarius .

To Gregory my friend .

To the Cæsareans . A defence of his withdrawal, and concerning the faith .

To Maximus the Philosopher .

Without address. To some friends .

To Gregory his friend .

To Arcadius, Imperial Treasurer .

Against Eunomius the heretic .

To Macarius and John .

To Gregory my friend .

To Leontius the Sophist .

To Leontius the Sophist .

Without address. On the Perfection of the Life of Solitaries .

To a Solitary .

To Athanasius, father of Athanasius bishop of Ancyra .

To Athanasius, bishop of Ancyra .

To Cæsarius, brother of Gregory .

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata .

To the Church of Neocæsarea. Consolatory .

To the Church of Ancyra. Consolatory .

To Eusebius of Samosata .

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata .

To Sophronius the Master .

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata .

Without address .

Without address .

Without address .

To his Brother Gregory, concerning the difference between οὐσία and ὑπόστασις.

Julian to Basil .

Julian to Basil .

Basil to Julian .

To Chilo, his disciple .

Admonition to the Young .

To a lapsed Monk .

To a lapsed Monk .

To a fallen virgin .

To Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata .

To Arcadius the Bishop .

To Bishop Innocentius .

To Bishop Bosporius .

To the Canonicæ .

To the Chorepiscopi .

To the Chorepiscopi .

To Paregorius, the presbyter .

To Meletius, Bishop of Antioch .

To Gregory my brother .

To Gregory, his uncle .

To Gregory his uncle .

To Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria .

To the Church of Parnassus .

To the Governor of Neocæsarea .

To Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria .

To Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria .

To Meletius, bishop of Antioch .

To Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria .

Without address .

Basil to Gregory .

To Callisthenes .

To Martinianus .

To Sophronius the Master .

Without inscription: about Therasius .

Without inscription, on behalf of Elpidius .

To Eustathius bishop of Sebastia .

To Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria .

To Bishop Innocent .

To Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria .

To a Magistrate .

To the President .

That the oath ought not to be taken .

To the Governor .

Without address on the same subject .

Without address on the subject of the exaction of taxes .

To Meletius, bishop of Antioch .

To the holy brethren the bishops of the West .

To Valerianus, Bishop of Illyricum .

To the Italians and Gauls.

To the Patrician Cæsaria , concerning Communion .

To Elias, Governor of the Province .

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata .

To Sophronius, the master .

To the Senate of Tyana .

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata .

To Count Terentius .

To Eusebius, Bishop of Samosata .

To the citizens of Satala .

To the people of Satala .

To the prefect Modestus .

To the deaconesses, the daughters of Count Terentius .

To the Widow Julitta .

To the guardian of the heirs of Julitta .

To the Count Helladius .

To the prefect Modestus .

To Modestus, the prefect .

To Andronicus, a general .

To the presbyters of Tarsus .

To Cyriacus, at Tarsus .

To the heretic Simplicia .

To Jovinus, Bishop of Perrha .

To Eustathius, Bishop of Sebasteia .

To Meletius, bishop of Antioch .

To Theodotus, bishop of Nicopolis .

To Pœmenius , bishop of Satala .

To Urbicius, the monk .

1. Both men whose minds have been preoccupied by a heterodox creed and now wish to change over to the congregation of the orthodox, and also those wh

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata .

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata .

To Meletius Bishop of Antioch .

To Theodotus bishop of Nicopolis .

To Abramius, bishop of Batnæ .

Letter CXXXIII.

To the presbyter Pœonius .

To Diodorus, presbyter of Antioch .

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata .

To Antipater, on his assuming the governorship of Cappadocia .

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata .

To the Alexandrians .

To the Church of Antioch .

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata .

To the prefects’ accountant .

To another accountant .

To the prefects’ officer .

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata .

To Amphilochius in the name of Heraclidas .

To Eustathius the Physician .

To Victor, the Commander .

To Victor the Ex-Consul .

To Ascholius, bishop of Thessalonica .

Without address . In the case of a trainer

To the Presbyter Evagrius .

To Eupaterius and his daughter .

To Amphilochius on his consecration as Bishop .

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata .

To Count Jovinus .

To Ascholius, bishop of Thessalonica .

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata .

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata .

Basil to Gregory .

To Sophronius, the bishop .

To Theodora the Canoness .

To Count Magnenianus .

To Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium .

To Saphronius the Master .

To Arinthæus .

To the Master Sophronius, on behalf of Eunathius .

To Otreius, bishop of Melitene .

To the presbyters of Samosata .

To the Senate of Samosata .

To Eustathius, bishop of Himmeria .

To Theodotus, bishop of Beræa .

To Antipater, the governor .

Letter CLXXXVII.

(CanonicaPrima.)

To Eustathius the physician .

To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium .

To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium .

To Sophronius the Master .

To Meletius the Physician .

To Euphronius, bishop of Colonia Armeniæ .

To Ambrose, bishop of Milan .

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata .

CanonicaSecunda.

To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium .

To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium .

To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium .

To the bishops of the sea coast .

To the Neocæsareans .

To Elpidius the bishop .

To Elpidius the bishop. Consolatory .

To the clergy of Neocæsarea .

Without address .

To the notables of Neocæsarea .

Without address .

1. When I heard that your excellency had again been compelled to take part in public affairs, I was straightway distressed (for the truth must be told

To the Presbyter Dorotheus.

To Meletius, bishop of Antioch.

To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium.

To the clergy of Samosata.

To the Beræans .

To the Beræans.

To the people of Chalcis .

Against Eustathius of Sebasteia .

To the presbyter Genethlius.

I am always very thankful to God and to the emperor, under whose rule we live, when I see the government of my country put into the hands of one who i

To the ascetics under him.

Consolatory, to the clergy of Colonia .

To the magistrates of Colonia.

To the clergy of Nicopolis.

To the magistrates of Nicopolis.

To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium.

To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium.

To Amphilochius, in reply to certain questions.

To the same, in answer to another question.

To the same, in answer to another question.

To the same Amphilochius.

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata.

To the presbyters of Nicopolis .

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata.

To the Presbyters of Nicopolis.

To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata .

To the Westerns .

To the bishops of Italy and Gaul concerning the condition and confusion of the Churches.

To Patrophilus, bishop of Ægæ .

To Theophilus the Bishop .

To the Nicopolitans.

To the Nicopolitans.

To Amphilochius, bishop of Iconium.

Without address. Commendatory.

To Patrophilus, bishop of Ægæ.

1. My occupations are very numerous, and my mind is full of many anxious cares, but I have never forgotten you, my dear friends, ever praying my God

The honours of martyrs ought to be very eagerly coveted by all who rest their hopes on the Lord, and more especially by you who seek after virtue. By

The anxious care which you have for the Churches of God will to some extent be assuaged by our very dear and very reverend brother Sanctissimus the pr

May the Lord grant me once again in person to behold your true piety and to supply in actual intercourse all that is wanting in my letter. I am behin

Would that it were possible for me to write to your reverence every day! For ever since I have had experience of your affection I have had great desi

News has reached me of the severe persecution carried on against you, and how directly after Easter the men who fast for strife and debate attacked yo

To the monks harassed by the Arians.

1. It has long been expected that, in accordance with the prediction of our Lord, because of iniquity abounding, the love of the majority would wax c

To the monks Palladius and Innocent.

To Optimus the bishop .

To the Sozopolitans .

1. You have done well to write to me. You have shewn how great is the fruit of charity. Continue so to do. Do not think that, when you write to me

To the Westerns.

To Barses the bishop, truly God-beloved and worthy of all reverence and honour, Basil sends greeting in the Lord. As my dear brother Domninus is sett

To Eulogius, Alexander, and Harpocration, bishops of Egypt, in exile.

1. You have very properly rebuked me, and in a manner becoming a spiritual brother who has been taught genuine love by the Lord, because I am not giv

To Barses, bishop of Edessa, in exile.

To Eusebius, in exile.

To the wife of Arinthæus, the General. Consolatory.

I am distressed to find that you are by no means indignant at the sins forbidden, and that you seem incapable of understanding, how this raptus , whic

At once and in haste, after your departure, I came to the town. Why need I tell a man not needing to be told, because he knows by experience, how dis

1. It has been reported to me by Actiacus the deacon, that certain men have moved you to anger against me, by falsely stating me to be ill-disposed t

Without address. Concerning Hera.

To Himerius, the master.

Without address. Concerning Hera.

To the great Harmatius.

To the learned Maximus.

To Modestus the Prefect.

To Modestus the Prefect.

To Modestus the Prefect.

To the assessor in the case of monks.

Without Address.

To the Commentariensis .

Without address.

Without address. Excommunicatory.

Without address. Concerning an afflicted woman.

To Timotheus the Chorepiscopus .

Letter CCXCIII.

Letter CCXCVII.

Letter CCXCVIII.

Letter CCCVIII.

Letter CCCXIII.

Letters CCCXVI., CCCXVII., CCCXVIII., CCCXIX.

Letters CCCXVI., CCCXVII., CCCXVIII., CCCXIX.

Letters CCCXVI., CCCXVII., CCCXVIII., CCCXIX.

Letters CCCXVI., CCCXVII., CCCXVIII., CCCXIX.

Letter CCCXXII.

Letter CCCXXIII.

Letter CCCXXIV.

Letter CCCXXVI.

Letter CCCXXVII.

Letter CCCXXVIII.

Letter CCCXXIX.

Letters CCCXXX., CCCXXXI., CCCXXXII., CCCXXXIII.

Letters CCCXXX., CCCXXXI., CCCXXXII., CCCXXXIII.

Letters CCCXXX., CCCXXXI., CCCXXXII., CCCXXXIII.

Letters CCCXXX., CCCXXXI., CCCXXXII., CCCXXXIII.

Letter CCCXXXIV.

Letter CCCXXXV.

Letter CCCXXXVI.

Letter CCCXXXVII.

Letter CCCXXXVIII.

Letter CCCXXXIX.

Letter CCCXLII.

Letter CCCXLIII.

Letter CCCXLIV.

Letter CCCXLVI.

Letter CCCXLVII.

Letter CCCXLVIII.

Letter CCCXLIX.

Letter CCCLIII.

Letter CCCLVII.

Letter CCCLVIII.

Of the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, the invocation of Saints, and their Images.

Letters CCCLXI. and CCCLXIII., to Apollinarius, and Letters CCCLXII. and CCCLXIV., from Apollinarius to Basil, are condemned as indubitably spurious,

Letters CCCLXI. and CCCLXIII., to Apollinarius, and Letters CCCLXII. and CCCLXIV., from Apollinarius to Basil, are condemned as indubitably spurious,

Letters CCCLXI. and CCCLXIII., to Apollinarius, and Letters CCCLXII. and CCCLXIV., from Apollinarius to Basil, are condemned as indubitably spurious,

Letters CCCLXI. and CCCLXIII., to Apollinarius, and Letters CCCLXII. and CCCLXIV., from Apollinarius to Basil, are condemned as indubitably spurious,

Letters CCCLXI. and CCCLXIII., to Apollinarius, and Letters CCCLXII. and CCCLXIV., from Apollinarius to Basil, are condemned as indubitably spurious,

Basil to Urbicius the monk, concerning continency.

Letter CCCXXXIV.

To a writer.

Write straight, and make the lines straight. Do not let your hand go too high or too low. Avoid forcing the pen to travel slantwise, like Æsop’s crab. Advance straight on, as if following the line of the carpenter’s rule, which always preserves exactitude and prevents any irregularity. The oblique is ungraceful. It is the straight which pleases the eye, and does not allow the reader’s eyes to go nodding up and down like a swing-beam. This has been my fate in reading your writing. As the lines lie ladderwise, I was obliged, when I had to go from one to another, to mount up to the end of the last: then, when no connexion was to be found, I had to go back, and seek for the right order again, retreating and following the furrow,1529 Of the use of this word to indicate the lines in mss., cf. Aristoph., Thesm. 782, and Anth., Pal. vi. 82. like Theseus in the story following Ariadne’s thread.1530 i.e. in the Labyrinth of Crete. Ope virginea, nullis iterata priorum, Janua difficilis filo est inventa relecto. Ov., Metam. viii. 172. Write straight, and do not confuse our mind by your slanting and irregular writing.

ΠΡΟΣ ΚΑΛΛΙΓΡΑΦΟΝ

[1] Ὀρθὰ γράφε καὶ χρῶ τοῖς στίχοις ὀρθῶς καὶ μήτε ἐωρείσθω πρὸς ὕψος ἡ χεὶρ μήτε φερέσθω κατὰ κρημνῶν. Μηδὲ βιάζου τὸν κάλαμον λοξὰ βαδίζειν ὥσπερ τὸν παρ' Αἰσώπῳ καρκίνον, ἀλλ' εὐθὺ χώρει ὥσπερ ἐπὶ στάθμης βαδίζων τεκτονικῆς ἣ πανταχοῦ φυλάττει τὸ ἴσον καὶ πᾶν ἀναιρεῖ τὸ ἀνώμαλον. Τὸ γὰρ λοξὸν ἀπρεπές, τὸ δὲ εὐθὺ τερπνὸν τοῖς ὁρῶσιν οὐκ ἐῶν ἀνανεύειν καὶ κατανεύειν, ὥσπερ τὰ κηλώνεια, τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς τῶν ἀναγινωσκόντων, ὁποῖόν τι κἀμοὶ συμβέβηκε τοῖς γράμμασιν ἐντυχόντι τοῖς σοῖς. Τῶν γὰρ στίχων κειμένων κλιμακηδόν, ἡνίκα ἔδει μεταβαίνειν ἐφ' ἕτερον ἀφ' ἑτέρου, ἀνάγκη ἦν ἐξορθοῦν πρὸς τὸ τέλος τοῦ προσιόντος. Ἐν ᾧ μηδαμοῦ φαινομένης τῆς ἀκολουθίας ἀνατρέχειν ἔδει πάλιν καὶ τὴν τάξιν ἐπιζητεῖν ἀναποδίζοντα καὶ παρεπόμενον τῷ αὔλακι, καθάπερ τὸν Θησέα τῷ μίτῳ τῆς Ἀριάδνης φασί. Γράφε τοίνυν ὀρθῶς καὶ μὴ πλάνα τὸν νοῦν τῷ πλαγίῳ καὶ λοξῷ τῶν γραφομένων.