Letter 100

100. To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata.

I saw the letter of your love in the neighbouring country of Armenia as those who sail the sea see a beacon kindled afar off on the open water — especially when the sea happens to be somewhat wild with winds. For while the letter of your dignity is by nature pleasant and full of much comfort, the occasion then most of all increased the grace that came from it — what that occasion was, and how it grieved us, I for my part would not say, having once resolved to forget my sorrows; but our fellow deacon will relate it to your godliness.

My body has utterly failed me, so that I cannot bear even the smallest movements without pain. Nevertheless I pray that my old desire may now at last be fulfilled for me through the help of your prayers — even though this journey abroad has caused me great difficulty, the affairs of our church having been neglected for so long a time. And if God, while we are yet above the earth, should count us worthy to see your godliness in our church, we shall truly have good hopes for the things to come as well, that we are not altogether cast out from the gifts of God. This, at least, if it is possible, we beg may come to pass at the synod which we hold yearly for the commemoration of the blessed martyr Eupsychius, now drawing near, on the seventh day of the month of September. For matters worthy of concern beset us, requiring your cooperation, both for the appointment of bishops and for counsel and consideration about the things being plotted against us by the goodness of Gregory of Nyssa, who is convening synods at Ancyra and leaves no means untried of plotting against us.