(This letter is sometimes attributed to Basil and can be found in his works as well as in Gregory's. However, with only one exception, the manuscripts attribute it to Gregory.)
(The following letter is sometimes attributed to Basil, and is found in his works as well as in those of Gregory. The mss. however, with only a single exception, give it to the latter.)
You give me pleasure both by writing and remembering me, and even greater pleasure by sending me your blessing in your letter. But if I were worthy of your sufferings and your struggles for Christ and through Christ, I would have been counted worthy to come to you, to embrace Your Piety, and to learn from your patience in your sufferings. However, since I am not worthy of this, being burdened with many afflictions and obstacles, I do the next best thing. I write to Your Perfection, and I beg you not to grow weary of remembering me. For receiving your letters is not only beneficial to me, but also gives me something to boast about to many people, and is an honor, because I am valued by a man of such great virtue and such close relationship with God that he can bring others also into relationship with Him through word and example.
You give me pleasure both by writing and remembering me, and a much greater pleasure by sending me your blessing in your letter. But if I were worthy of your sufferings and of your conflicts for Christ and through Christ I should have been counted worthy also to come to you, to embrace Your Piety, and to take example by your patience in your sufferings. But since I am not worthy of this, being troubled with many afflictions and hindrances I do what is next best. I address Your Perfection, and I beg you not to be weary of remembering me. For to be deemed worthy of your letters is not only profitable to me, but is also a matter to boast of to many people, and is an honour, because I am considered by a man of so great virtue, and such near relations with God, that he can bring others also by word and example into relation to Him.