Gregory Nazianzen the Theologian Funeral Oration on St Basil the Great (Oration XLIII), Complete

Translated by Ch. Browne and J. Swallow.

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48 Pages

Page 20

35. He indeed could neither rain bread from heaven by prayer, [4460] to nourish an escaped people in the wilderness, [4461] nor supply fountains of food without cost from the depth of vessels which are filled by being emptied, [4462] and so, by an amazing return for her hospitality, support one who supported him; nor feed thousands of men with five loaves whose very fragments were a further supply for many tables. [4463] These were the works of Moses and Elijah, and my God, from Whom they too derived their power. Perhaps also they were characteristic of their time and its circumstances: since signs are for unbelievers not for those who believe. [4464] But he did devise and execute with the same faith things which correspond to them, and tend in the same direction. For by his word and advice he opened the stores of those who possessed them, and so, according to the Scripture dealt food to the hungry, [4465] and satisfied the poor with bread, [4466] and fed them in the time of dearth, [4467] and filled the hungry souls with good things. [4468] And in what way? for this is no slight addition to his praise. He gathered together the victims of the famine with some who were but slightly recovering from it, men and women, infants, old men, every age which was in distress, and obtaining contributions of all sorts of food which can relieve famine, set before them basins of soup and such meat as was found preserved among us, on which the poor live. Then, imitating the ministry of Christ, Who, girded with a towel, did not disdain to wash the disciples' feet, using for this purpose the aid of his own servants, and also of his fellow servants, he attended to the bodies and souls of those who needed it, combining personal respect with the supply of their necessity, and so giving them a double relief.

[4460] Exod. xvi. 15.

[4461] Ps. lxxviii. 24.

[4462] 1 Kings xvii. 14.

[4463] S. Matt. xiv. 19.

[4464] 1 Cor. xiv. 22.

[4465] Isai. lviii. 7.

[4466] Ps. cxxxii. 15.

[4467] Ib. xxxiii. 19.

[4468] Ib. cvii. 9; S. Luke i. 53.

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