(In 382 Gregory was summoned to a Synod at Constantinople. He wrote to Procopius, the Prefectus Urbi, and declined to go because of his strong dislike of Episcopal Synods, from which he said he had never seen any good come. However, he seems to have received a more urgent summons through Icarius and Olympius. His reply to Icarius has been lost; his reply to Olympius is as follows.)
(In 382 Gregory was summoned to a Synod at Constantinople; he wrote to Procopius, the Prefectus Urbi, and declined to go, on the ground of his great dislike to Episcopal Synods, from which, he said, he had never known any good to result. However he seems to have received a more urgent summons through Icarius and Olympius. His reply to Icarius has been lost; that to Olympius is as follows.)
What troubles me more than my illness is that no one believes I am actually sick. Yet I am being ordered to make such a long journey and forced back into the middle of troubles that I was glad to escape. I almost thought I should be thankful to my bodily suffering for this. For peace and freedom from public affairs is more valuable than the splendor of a busy life. I wrote this yesterday to the Most Illustrious Icarius, from whom I received the same summons. Now I ask your Magnanimity also to write this on my behalf, since you are a very trustworthy witness of my poor health. Another proof that I am unable to travel is the loss I have now suffered in not even being able to come and enjoy your company—you who are such a kind Governor and so admirable in virtue that even the beginnings of your term of office are more honorable than the good reputation others can achieve by the end of theirs.
It is more serious to me than my illness, that no one will believe that I am ill, but that so long a journey is enjoined upon me, and I am pushed into the midst of troubles from which I rejoiced to have withdrawn, and almost thought that I ought to be grateful for this to my bodily affliction. For quiet and freedom from affairs is more precious than the splendour of a busy life. I wrote this yesterday to the Most Illustrious Icarius, from whom I received the same summons: and I now beg your Magnanimity also to write this for me, for you are a very trustworthy witness of my ill health. Another proof of my inability is the loss which I have now suffered in having been unable even to come and enjoy your society, who are so kind a Governor, and so admirable for virtue that even the preludes of your term of office are more honourable than the good fame which others can earn by the end of theirs.