212 (220). To the clergy in Veri

(He testifies to them that they aroused in him great love for themselves both by his letter and by what the presbyter Acacius told about them; he wishes them a speedy cessation of persecution and constancy in patience. (Written in 375)

The Lord gave great consolation to those who could not have a personal meeting in conversation through letters, from which one could learn not the bodily traits, but the disposition of the soul itself. For this reason, even now, having received a letter from your reverence, I have come to know you at the same time, and have felt love for you in my heart, not needing that our acquaintance should be confirmed by the length of time, because the very thought contained in the letter has inflamed me with love for the beauty of your soul. And with such a quality of what you have written, it has shown me even more clearly the benevolence of those who have been employed by the brethren. For our most beloved and most reverent co-presbyter Acacius, recounting more than what is written, and presenting to my eyes your daily ascetic labors and your strong perseverance in the work of piety, inspired me with so much wonder and aroused such a desire to enjoy your kindness, that I pray the Lord to give me in time the opportunity to know you with my own experience. He informed me not only of the accuracy in all things of you, who have been entrusted with the service of the altar, but also of the harmony of all the people, of the nobility of morals, and of the sincere disposition towards God of the rulers of the city, and of those who have a part in the administration of it.

Wherefore have I blessed the Church, which is filled with such people, and now I pray all the more to God to grant you spiritual peace, that you may enjoy in the time of rest what you have shown now in the time of struggle. For what is unpleasant, after testing it, usually gives some pleasure to those who remember. As for the present, I beseech you not to indulge in evil, nor to despair at the continuance of oppression. For the crowns are near, the Lord's help is near. Do not pour out to the earth what you have obtained with such effort, do not turn into nothing the work glorified in the whole universe. Human affairs do not remain in the same position for long. "All flesh is hay, and all the glory of man is like the flower of grass: the grass is gone, and the flower is gone; but the word of the Lord endures forever" (cf. Isaiah 40:6-8). Holding fast to the abiding commandment, let us despise transitory appearances. Your example has encouraged many Churches. Without noticing it, you have gained for yourselves a great reward by arousing the less skilful to such zeal. The Rewarder is rich and able to grant you rewards worthy of feats.

213 (221). To the people of Veri

(He testifies that the love which he had for them according to rumors about them was further strengthened by the letter sent to him; he praises their constancy in the faith and wishes them to remain patient to the end. (Written in 375)

And before this I knew you, beloved, because your reverence is glorified: it is known what a crown you have received for the confession of Christ. And perhaps some of you will ask: Who then divulged this at such a distance? The Lord Himself, Who sets up those who worship Him like a lamp on a shelf, makes them visible in the whole universe. Does not the reward of victory usually herald valiant fighters, and does not the intricacy of the work herald artists? But if the memory of these and similar deeds remains unforgettable, then will He not make known and visible to all those who worship Christ, of whom the Lord Himself says: "She who glorifies Me, I will glorify" (1 Samuel 2:30), making them known and visible to all, spreading with the sun's rays the radiance of their lightning-fast radiance? You have instilled in me still greater love for you, honoring me with a letter, and such a letter in which, in addition to the previous labors for piety, you abundantly revealed a rich and vigorous constancy in the true faith. Wherefore I rejoice with you and pray that the God of all, in Whose power is the podvig, the place of podvig, and the crowns, will influence your zeal, grant you spiritual strength and bring your work to His perfect glorification.

242 (250) To Patrophilus, Bishop of the Church in Aegea

(He thanks him for the letter sent with Stragius, and for the continuation of his former love; he explains why he cannot be in communion with Eustathius. (Written in 376 AD))

Though I received late replies to my former letters, nevertheless I received from my most beloved Stratigius and thanked the Lord that you remain the same in your love for me. And the fact that you have now deigned to write about the same subject, serves as a proof of your good will, because you yourself adhere to the proper way of thinking, and advise me what is useful. But since I see again that I will have a very long word, if I answer separately all that is written by your prudence, I will only say that if the good of the world consists in one name of the world, then it is ridiculous, choosing both, to allow them only to participate in the world, and exclude thousands of others from communion in this good. If, however, agreement with harmful people who enter into it compels them to act in a hostile manner under the guise of peace, then see what are those with whom those who have hated me with unjust hatred have entered into union, whether they do not belong to the number of those who do not have communion with me, because I do not need to mention them by name now. They were summoned by them to Sebastia, took possession of the Church, performed the sacraments on the altar, gave their bread to all the people, being proclaimed bishops from the local clergy, and accompanied by them throughout the country as saints and in communion with them. If it is necessary to take their side, then it is ridiculous to begin with the nails, and not to turn to their very heads. If no one should be considered a heretic in all things, and run away, then tell me, why do you separate yourself and avoid communion with some? And if some are to be removed on the basis of the exact observance of the rules, then let the exact executors tell me to which side do they call from Galatia belong? If all this seems to you worthy of sorrow, then my separation is the culprit. If you consider this to be indifferent, then forgive me, who does not agree to partake of the leaven of those who teach in a different way. Wherefore, if thou wilt, leaving all these plausible words, rebuke with all boldness those who do not walk rightly according to the truth of the Gospel.