Ep. CXXXV.
(About the middle of
a.d.
382 Theodosius, on the recommendation of S. Damasus, summoned a new
Synod of Eastern Bishops to meet at Constantinople, to try and heal the
schism which had been embittered by the election of Flavian at
Antioch. As soon as Gregory heard of the convocation of this
Synod he wrote to several of his influential friends at Court, to beg
them to do their utmost for the promotion of peace.)
I am philosophizing at leisure. That is the injury
my enemies have done me, and I should be glad if they would do more of
the same sort, that I might look upon them still more as
benefactors. For it often happens that those who are wronged get
a benefit, while they, whom we would treat well, suffer injury.
That is the state of my affairs. But if I cannot make every one
believe this, I am very anxious, that at all events you, for them all,
to whom I most willingly give an account of my affairs, should know, or
rather I feel certain that you do know it, and can persuade those who
do not. You, however, I beg to give all diligence, now at any
rate, if you have not done so before, to bring together to one voice
and mind the sections of the world that are so unhappily divided; and
above all if you should perceive, as I have observed, that they are
divided not on account of the Faith, but by petty private
interests. To succeed in doing this would earn you a reward; and
my retirement would have less to grieve over if I could see that I did
not grasp at it to no purpose, but was like a Jonas, willingly casting
myself into the sea, that the storm might cease and the sailors be
saved. If, however, they are still as storm-tost as ever, I at
all events have done what I could.