(There still seemed a likelihood that scheming and partisan feelings would win out, so the two Gregories decided to seek the help of Eusebius of Samosata, even though he was not from their Province. He had been a prominent defender of orthodoxy against the Arian Emperor Valens, and the Gregories hoped his presence at the Synod would be very beneficial. He answered their request and undertook the three hundred miles of very difficult travel to lend his support to the cause they cared deeply about. However, he recognized that it was necessary for the elderly Bishop of Nazianzus, despite his advanced age and poor health, to make the effort, and he convinced him to go. The outcome was everything they could have hoped for, as Basil was elected by a unanimous vote. The letter that Gregory wrote in his own name to thank him can be found later on.)
(There still seemed a probability that intrigues and party spirit would carry the day, and so the two Gregories determined to call in the aid of Eusebius of Samosata, though he did not belong to the Province. He had been a conspicuous champion of orthodoxy against the Arian Emperor Valens, and the Gregories hoped much from his presence at the Synod. He responded to their appeal, and undertook the three hundred miles of very difficult travelling to throw in his influence with the cause which they had at heart. He saw, however, that it was necessary that the aged Bishop of Nazianzus, notwithstanding his years and infirmities, should make the effort, and he persuaded him to go. The result was all that could be desired; for Basil was elected by a unanimous vote. The letter, which S. Gregory wrote in his own name to thank him, will be found later on.)
I wish I had the wings of a dove, or that my old age could be made young again, so that I could come to you in your love and satisfy my longing to see you, to tell you about my soul's troubles, and to find some comfort from you for my suffering. Ever since the blessed Bishop Eusebius died, I have been quite afraid that those who previously set traps for our capital city and wanted to fill it with heretical weeds might now seize this opportunity and uproot through their evil teaching the godliness that has been planted with so much effort in people's hearts, and tear apart its unity as they have done in many churches. As soon as I received letters from the clergy asking me not to forget them in their current situation, I looked around and remembered your love, your true faith, and the zeal you always have for God's churches. So I sent my beloved Eustathius, my deacon and assistant, to inform you and to beg you—in addition to all your labors for the churches—to meet with me. I ask you both to refresh my old age by coming and to establish godliness, which is so well known, in the orthodox church by giving her, together with us (if we may be considered worthy to share with you in this good work), a shepherd according to the Lord's will who will be able to rule his people. We have a man in mind, and you know him. If we are allowed to secure him, I know we will gain great confidence before God and will provide a very great benefit to the people who have called on us for help. I beg you again and again to put aside all delay and come to us before the bad winter weather sets in.
O that I had the wings of a dove, or that my old age could be renewed, that I might be able to go to your charity, and to satisfy the longings that I have to see you, and to tell you the troubles of my soul, and in you to find some comfort for my afflictions. For since the death of the blessed Bishop Eusebius I am not a little afraid lest they who on a former occasion set traps for our Metropolis, and wanted to fill it with heretical tares, should now seize the opportunity, and uproot by their evil teaching the piety which has with so much labour been sown in the hearts of men, and should tear asunder its unity, as they have done in many Churches. As soon as I received letters from the Clergy asking me not to forget them in their present circumstances, I looked round about me, and remembered your love and your right faith and the zeal with which you are ever possessed for the Churches of God; and therefore I sent my beloved Eustathius, my Deacon and helper, to warn your Reverence, and to entreat you, in addition to all your toils for the Churches, to meet me, and both to refresh my old age by your coming, and to establish in the Orthodox Church that piety which is so famous, by giving her with us (if we may be deemed worthy to have a share with you in the good work) a Shepherd according to the will of the Lord, who shall be able to rule His people. For we have a man before our eyes, and you are not unacquainted with him; and if we are permitted to obtain him I know that we shall acquire great boldness towards God, and shall confer a very great benefit upon the people who have called upon our aid. I beg you again and again to put away all delay, and to come to us before the bad weather of the winter sets in.