Letter 47

47. To Gregory, his comrade.

Who will give me wings like a dove, or how may my old age be renewed, so that I might be able to cross over to your love, and both find rest for the longing that I have toward you, and recount the griefs of my soul, and through you find some consolation of my afflictions? For upon the falling asleep of the blessed Eusebius the bishop, no small fear has taken hold of us, lest those who long lay in wait against the church of our metropolis, and who wish to fill it with the tares of the heretics, having now seized their opportunity, should root up, by their own wicked teachings, the piety sown with much labour in the souls of men, and cut asunder its unity — which indeed they have done in the case of many churches. And since letters have come to us also from the clergy, entreating that they be not overlooked at such a time, looking around me in a circle I remembered your love, and your right faith, and the zeal you ever have on behalf of the churches of God.

And for this reason I have sent the beloved Eustathius, the fellow deacon, to entreat your venerable dignity and to prevail upon you to add to all your labours on behalf of the churches the present one also, and both to give rest to my old age by your company, and to set the renowned piety right for the orthodox church, giving to it, together with us (if indeed we should be counted worthy to share with you in the good work), a shepherd according to the will of the Lord, able to guide his people aright. For we have before our eyes a man whom you yourselves are not unaware of; whom, if we should be counted worthy to obtain, I know that we shall acquire great boldness toward God, and shall lay up a very great benefit for the people who have called upon us. But I entreat you again and many times, laying aside all hesitation, to come and to forestall the difficulties that arise from the winter.