Letter 181

181. To Otreius of Melitene

I know that the departure of the most God-beloved bishop Eusebius touches your reverence as deeply as it touches us ourselves. Since, then, we both stand in need of comfort, let us become consolation to one another. Do you send us word of what comes from Samosata, and we will report whatever we learn from Thrace. For to know of the people's steadfastness brings me no small relief amid present sorrows, while to your goodness it will be a comfort to learn how our common father fares. Indeed, even now we have no need to give word by letter; for we have presented to you the very man who knows the matter exactly, and who reports in what circumstances he left him, and how he bears what befalls. Pray, then, both for him and for us, that the Lord may speedily bring about the release from these hardships.