Letter 31

31. To Eusebius, bishop of Samosata.

The famine has not yet released us, and so a stay in the city is necessary for us, whether for the sake of administration or out of sympathy with the afflicted. For this reason I was unable even now to share the road with our most reverend brother Hypatius — whom I call brother not merely for the sake of a courteous title, but because of the kinship that belongs to us by nature; for we are of the same blood.

What manner of sickness he labours under has not escaped even your honour. And it grieves us that every hope of relief has been cut off for him, since those who possess the gifts of healing have not been permitted to do for him any of the things that are customary. For this reason he again calls upon the help of your prayers. And do you be entreated to give him your accustomed support, both for the sake of your own compassion toward the sick and for our sake, who plead on his behalf; and, if it be possible, to summon to yourself the most devout of the brethren, so that the treatment may be applied to him under your own eyes. But if this be impossible, then deign to send him on his way with a letter and to commend him to those before him.