St Basil the Great LETTERS, Third Part

Translated by Bl. Jackson.

St Basil the Great Resources Online and in Print

This Part: 129 Pages

Page 113

Letter CCCVI.

To the Governor of Sebasteia. [3262]

I am aware that your excellency is favourably receiving my letters, and I understand why. You love all that is good; you are ready in doing kindnesses. So whenever I give you the opportunity of shewing your magnanimity, you are eager for my letters, because you know that they furnish an occasion for good deeds. Now, once more, behold an occasion for your shewing all the signs of rectitude, and at the same time for the public exhibition of your virtues! Certain persons have come from Alexandria for the discharge of a necessary duty which is due from all men to the dead. They ask your excellency to give orders that it may be permitted them to have conveyed away, under official sanction, the corpse of a relative who departed this life at Sebasteia, while the troops were quartered there. They further beg that, as far as possible, aid may be given them for travelling at the public expense, so that, of your bounty, they may find some help and solace in their long journey. The tidings of this will travel as far as to great Alexandria, and will convey thither the report of your excellency's astonishing kindness. This you well understand without my mentioning it. I shall add gratitude for this one more favour to that which I feel for all which you have done me.

[3262] ;;Egemoni Sebasteias. The Ben. Ed. think that here and in Letter lxiii. hegeuon means not governor but Head of the Senate. cf. Cod. Theod. xii., i. 127, 171, 189. So in Letter lxxxvi. The "praepositus pagorum" is styled hegemon.

Previous Page / First / Next Page of St Basil - Letters

St Basil the Great Home Page / Works ||| More Church Fathers

Elpenor's Free Greek Lessons

Reference address : https://elpenor.org/basil/letters-3.asp?pg=113