37. After these and similar
actions—why need I stay to mention them all?—when the
prelate whose name Name, Eusebius,
i.e., “pious,” “godly.” betokened his
godliness had passed away, having sweetly breathed his last in
Basil’s arms, he was raised to the lofty throne of a Bishop, not
without difficulty or without the envious struggles of the prelates of
his native land, on whose side were found the greatest scoundrels of
the city. But the Holy Spirit must needs win the day—and
indeed the victory was decisive. For He brought from a distance,
to anoint him, men Men.
Eusebius of Samosaba and S. Gregory the Elder. illustrious and
zealous for godliness, and with them the new Abraham, our Patriarch, I
mean my father, in regard to whom an extraordinary thing
happened. For, failing as he was from the number of his years,
and worn away almost to his last breath by disease, he ventured on the
journey to give assistance by his vote, relying on the aid of the
Spirit. In brief, he was placed in his litter, as a corpse is
laid in its tomb, to return in the freshness and strength of youth,
with head erect, having been strengthened by the imposition of hands
and unction, and, it is not too much to say by the head of him who was
anointed. This must be added to the instances of old time, which
prove that labour bestows health, zealous purpose raises the dead, and
old age leaps up when anointed by the Spirit.