Tag: Letters — Division III — Miscellaneous Letters

(This letter was written somewhat earlier in reference to the consent Gregory had been persuaded to give to remain for some additional time as administrator of the See of Nazianzus. It is certainly not addressed to Theodore of Tyana, and it is not known who this Theodore is.)

(This letter is written at a somewhat earlier date in reference to the consent he had been induced to give to remaining for some time longer as administrator of the See of Nazianzus. It is certainly not addressed to Theodore of Tyana, and it is not known who this Theodore is.)

He who raised David His servant from shepherd's work to the throne, and Your Reverence from the flock to the work of the shepherd—He who orders our affairs and those of all who hope in Him according to His own will—may He now put it into the mind of Your Reverence to know the dishonor I have suffered at the hands of my lords the bishops in the matter of their votes, in that they have agreed to the election but have excluded us. I will not lay the blame on Your Reverence, because you have only recently come to preside over our affairs and are, as is to be expected, for the most part unacquainted with our history. This is quite enough, for I have no mind to trouble you further, so that I may not seem burdensome at the very beginning of our friendship. But I will tell you what comes to my mind in taking counsel with God. I retired from the church at Nazianzus, not because I despised God or looked down on the smallness of the flock (God forbid that a philosophic soul should be so disposed), but first because I am not bound by any such appointment, and second because I am broken down by my ill health and do not think myself equal to such anxieties. And since you too have been hard on me in reproaching me for my resignation, and I myself could not endure the complaints against me, and since the times are hard, threatening us with an invasion of enemies to the injury of the commonwealth of the whole Church, I finally made up my mind to suffer a defeat that is painful to my body but perhaps not bad for my soul. I make over this miserable body to the Church for as long as it may be possible, thinking it better to suffer any distress to the flesh rather than to incur a spiritual injury myself or to inflict it upon others who have thought the worst of us, judging from their own experience. Knowing this, do pray for me and approve my resolution, and perhaps it is not out of place to say, mold yourself to piety.

He Who raised David His servant from the Shepherd's work to the Throne, and Your Reverence from the flock to the Work of the Shepherd: He that orders our affairs and those of all who hope in Him according to His own Will: may He now put it into the mind of Your Reverence to know the dishonour which I have suffered at the hands of my Lords the Bishops in the matter of their votes, in that they have agreed to the Election, but have excluded us. I will not lay the blame on Your Reverence, because you have but recently come to preside over our affairs, and are, as is to be expected, for the most part unacquainted with our history. This is quite enough: for I have no mind to trouble you further, that I may not seem burdensome at the very beginning of our friendship. But I will tell you what suggests itself to me in taking counsel with God. I retired from the Church at Nazianzus, not as either despising God, or looking down on the littleness of the flock (God forbid that a philosophic soul should be so disposed); but first because I am not bound by any such appointment: and secondly because I am broken down by my ill health, and do not think myself equal to such anxieties. And since you too have been heavy on me, in reproaching me with my resignation, and I myself could not endure the clamours against me, and since the times are hard, threatening us with an inroad of enemies to the injury of the commonwealth of the whole Church, I finally made up my mind to suffer a defeat which is painful to my body, but perhaps not bad for my soul. I make over this miserable body to the Church for as long as it may be possible, thinking it better to suffer any distress to the flesh rather than to incur a spiritual injury myself or to inflict it upon others, who have thought the worst of us, judging from their own experience. Knowing this, do pray for me, and approve my resolution: and perhaps it is not out of place to say, mould yourself to piety.

(Around the middle of A.D. 382, Theodosius, following the recommendation of Damasus, summoned a new synod of Eastern bishops to meet at Constantinople in an attempt to heal the schism that had been made worse by the election of Flavian at Antioch. As soon as Gregory heard that this synod had been called, he wrote to several of his influential friends at court, asking them to do everything they could to promote peace.)

(About the middle of a.d. 382 Theodosius, on the recommendation of S. Damasus, summoned a new Synod of Eastern Bishops to meet at Constantinople, to try and heal the schism which had been embittered by the election of Flavian at Antioch. As soon as Gregory heard of the convocation of this Synod he wrote to several of his influential friends at Court, to beg them to do their utmost for the promotion of peace.)

I am spending my time in quiet reflection. That is the harm my enemies have done me, and I would be glad if they would do more of the same, so I might regard them even more as benefactors. For it often happens that those who are wronged receive a benefit, while those we would treat well suffer harm. That is how things stand with me. But if I cannot make everyone believe this, I am very eager that at least you—to whom above all others I most willingly give an account of my affairs—should know it, or rather I am certain that you do know it and can persuade those who do not. However, I beg you to make every effort, now at least if you have not done so before, to bring together into one voice and one mind the factions of the world that are so unhappily divided, especially if you perceive, as I have observed, that they are divided not on account of the Faith but by petty private interests. To succeed in doing this would earn you a reward, and my retirement would have less to grieve over if I could see that I did not pursue it for no purpose, but was like Jonah, willingly casting myself into the sea so the storm might cease and the sailors be saved. If, however, they are still as storm-tossed as ever, I at least have done what I could.

I am philosophizing at leisure. That is the injury my enemies have done me, and I should be glad if they would do more of the same sort, that I might look upon them still more as benefactors. For it often happens that those who are wronged get a benefit, while they, whom we would treat well, suffer injury. That is the state of my affairs. But if I cannot make every one believe this, I am very anxious, that at all events you, for them all, to whom I most willingly give an account of my affairs, should know, or rather I feel certain that you do know it, and can persuade those who do not. You, however, I beg to give all diligence, now at any rate, if you have not done so before, to bring together to one voice and mind the sections of the world that are so unhappily divided; and above all if you should perceive, as I have observed, that they are divided not on account of the Faith, but by petty private interests. To succeed in doing this would earn you a reward; and my retirement would have less to grieve over if I could see that I did not grasp at it to no purpose, but was like a Jonas, willingly casting myself into the sea, that the storm might cease and the sailors be saved. If, however, they are still as storm-tost as ever, I at all events have done what I could.

(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.

(While Gregory was at Xantharis, an opportunity came up for him to see Olympius, but a relapse of his illness kept him from taking advantage of it. He writes to express his regret, and he also takes the opportunity to ask that Nicobulus be exempted from responsibility for the Imperial Posts.)

(While Gregory was at Xantharis an opportunity presented itself for seeing Olympius, but a return of illness prevented him from taking advantage of it. He writes to express his regret, and takes the opportunity also to request that Nicobulus may be exempted from the charge of the Imperial Posts.)

I was happy only in a dream. I had been brought as far as the Monastery to get some relief from the bath, and I was hoping to meet you. This good fortune was almost within my grasp, and I had stayed a few days waiting for it, but suddenly I was carried away by my illness, which was already painful in some ways and threatening in others. If one must find some explanation for this misfortune, I suffered in the same way that polypods do—when they are torn by force from the rocks, they risk losing the suckers by which they attach themselves to the rocks, or they carry off some piece of the rock itself. My situation is something like this. What I would have asked Your Excellency for if I had seen you, I now venture to ask even though I am absent. I found my son Nicobulus very troubled by the responsibility for the Post and by the demanding attention required by the Monastery. He is not a strong man, and he has a great dislike of solitude. Use him for anything else you wish, for he is eager to serve your authority in all things. But if possible, free him from this duty—if for no other reason, then at least to honor him as my host. Since I have asked many favors from you for many people and have received them, I need your kindness for myself as well.

I was happy in a dream. For having been brought as far as the Monastery to obtain some comfort from the bath, and then hoping to meet you, and having this good fortune almost in my hands, and having delayed a few days, I was suddenly carried away by my illness, which was already painful in some respects and threatening in others. And, if one must find some conjecture to account for the misfortune, I suffered in the same way as the polypods do, which if torn by force from the rocks risk the loss of the suckers by which they attach themselves to the rocks, or carry off some portion of the latter. Something of this kind is my case. And what I should have asked Your Excellency for had I seen you, I now venture to ask for though I am absent. I found my son Nicobulus much worried by the care of the Post, and by close attention to the Monastery. He is not a strong man, and has great distaste for solitude. Make use of him for anything else you please, for he is eager to serve your authority in all things; but if it be possible set him free from this charge, if for no other reason, at any rate to do him honour as my Hospitaller. Since I have asked many favours from you for many people, and have obtained them, I need also your kindness for myself.

(A little later on, when the weather was more settled, Gregory accepts the invitation and proposes to come at once, but declines to attend the Provincial Synod.)

(A little later on, when the weather was more settled, Gregory accepts the invitation and proposes to come at once, but declines to attend the Provincial Synod.)

You're calling me? I'm hurrying to come, but for a private visit. I greet synods and conventions from a distance, since I've learned from experience that most of them (to put it mildly) are rather troublesome affairs. So what's left? Support my rightful wishes with your prayers, so I may obtain what I'm eager for.

You call me? And I hasten, and that for a private visit. Synods and Conventions I salute from afar, since I have experienced that most of them (to speak moderately) are but sorry affairs. What then remains? Help with your prayers my just desires that I may obtain that for which I am anxious.

(To excuse himself for postponing his acceptance of an invitation.)

(To excuse himself for postponing his acceptance of an invitation.)

I respect you deeply, and I enjoy being with you. However, I had otherwise decided to stay at home and devote myself to quiet contemplation, for I found this to be the most beneficial course for myself. And since the winds are still quite strong, and my illness has not yet left me, I ask you to be patient with me for a little while, and to join me in praying for my health. As soon as the right time comes, I will respond to your requests.

I reverence your presence, and I delight in your company; although otherwise I counselled myself to remain at home and philosophize in quiet, for I found this of all courses the most profitable for myself. And since the winds are still somewhat rough, and my infirmity has not yet left me, I beg you to bear with me patiently for a little while, and to join me in my prayers for health; and as soon as the fit season comes I will attend upon your requests.

You owe me a visit as a sick person in need of care, since one of the commandments is to visit the sick. You also owe the Holy Martyrs their yearly honor, which we celebrate in your own Arianzus on the 23rd of the month we call Dathusa. At the same time, there are quite a few church matters that require our joint attention. For all these reasons, I ask you to come right away, because though the effort is great, the reward matches it.

You owe me, even as a sick man, tending, for one of the commandments is the visitation of the sick. And you also owe to the Holy Martyrs their annual honour, which we celebrate in your own Arianzus on the 23rd of the month which we call Dathusa. And at the same time there are ecclesiastical affairs not a few which need our common examination. For all these reasons then, I beg you to come at once: for though the labour is great, the reward is equivalent.

(This was written a little later as a letter of thanks for an Easter gift. Theodore had quite recently been made Archbishop of Tyana.)

(Written a little later, as a letter of thanks for an Easter gift. Theodore had quite recently been made Archbishop of Tyana.)

We rejoice in these tokens of love, especially at such a season and from someone at once so young and so perfect. To greet you with the words of Scripture, you are established in your youth, for this is what Scripture calls someone who is more advanced in wisdom than his years would lead us to expect. The old Fathers prayed for the dew of heaven and fatness of the earth and other such things for their children, though perhaps some may understand these things in a higher sense. But we will give you back all in a spiritual sense. May the Lord fulfill all your requests, and may you be the father of such children (if I may pray for you concisely and intimately) as you yourself have shown yourself to your own parents, so that we, as well as everyone else, may be glorified concerning you.

We rejoice in the tokens of love, and especially at such a season, and from one at once so young a man, and so perfect; and, to greet you with the words of Scripture, established in your youth, for so it calls him who is more advanced in wisdom than his years lead us to expect. The old Fathers prayed for the dew of heaven and fatness of the earth Genesis 27:28 and other such things for their children, though perhaps some may understand these things in a higher sense; but we will give you back all in a spiritual sense. The Lord fulfil all your requests, and may thou be the father of such children (if I may pray for you concisely and intimately) as you yourself have shown yourself to your own parents, so that we, as well as every one else, may be glorified concerning you.

(Sent around Easter AD 382 with a copy of the Philocalia, or selected anthology of Origen's works edited by himself and Saint Basil.)

(Sent about Easter a.d. 382 with a copy of the Philocalia, or Chrestomathy of Origen's works edited by himself and S. Basil.)

You look forward to the Festival and the letters, and even better, you anticipate the actual occasion through your enthusiasm, and you provide us with a festival in advance. This is what Your Reverence gives us. In return, we give you the greatest thing we have: our prayers. But so that you may have some small token to remember us by, we send you the volume of the Philocalia of Origen, containing a selection of passages useful to students of literature. Please accept this, and give us proof of its usefulness by being helped through diligence and the Spirit.

You anticipate the Festival, and the letters, and, which is better still, the time by your eagerness, and you bestow on us a preliminary festival. Such is what Your Reverence gives us. And we in return give you the greatest thing we have, our prayers. But that you may have some small thing to remember us by, we send you the volume of the Philocalia of Origen, containing a selection of passages useful to students of literature. Deign to accept this, and give us a proof of its usefulness, being aided by diligence and the Spirit.

Here is another person presenting you with a letter, which, if truth be told, you have brought on yourself, since you provoke them by the honor you show them. Here too is another petitioner before you, a prisoner of fear, our kinsman Eustratius, who with us and through us begs your goodness, because he cannot bear to remain in perpetual rebellion against your authority, even though a justified terror has frightened him, nor does he choose to appeal to you through anyone else but me, so that he may make your mercy toward him more evident through his use of such intercessors, whom you yourself make important by accepting their appeal in this way. I will say one thing, and that briefly. All the other favors you granted to me, but this one you will grant to your own judgment, since you once intended to comfort our old age and sickness with such honors. And I will add that you are continually making God more favorable to you.

Here is another laying before you a letter, of which, if the truth may be said, you are the cause yourself, for you provoke them by the honour you do them. Here too is another petitioner for you, a prisoner of fear, our kinsman Eustratius, who with us and by us entreats your goodness, inasmuch as he cannot endure to be in perpetual rebellion against your government, even though a just terror has frightened him, nor does he choose to entreat you by anyone else than me, that he may make your mercy to him more conspicuous through his use of such intercessors, whom at all events you yourself make great by thus accepting their appeal. I will say one thing, and that briefly. All the other favours you conferred upon me; but this you will confer upon your own judgment, since once you purposed to comfort our age and infirmity with such honours. And I will add that you are continually rendering God more propitious to you.