2.  The first and greatest of my troubles was the visit of the Vicar.  As to whether he is a man really heretically minded I do not know; for I think that he is quite unversed in doctrine, and has not the slightest interest or experience in such things, for I see him day and night busy, both in body and soul, in other things.  But he is certainly a friend of heretics; and he is not more friendly to them than he is ill-disposed to me.  He has summoned a synod of wicked men in mid-winter in Galatia. i.e. at Ancyra.  He has deposed Hypsinus and set up Ecdicius in his place. i.e.at Parnassus.  Parnassus is placed by Ramsay at a ford a few miles higher up the Halys than Tchikin Aghyl.  (Hist Geog. of Asia Minor, p. 255.)  He has ordered the removal of my brother on the accusation of one man, and that one quite insignificant.  Then, after being occupied for some little time about the army, he came to us again breathing rage and slaughter, cf. Acts ix. 1. and, in one sentence, delivered all the Church of Cæsarea to the Senate.  He settled for several days at Sebaste, separating friends from foes, φυλοκρινῶν.  The word occurs also in the De Sp. S. § 74, and in Letter cciv. § 2.  Another reading in this place is φιλοκρινῶν, “picking out his friends.” calling those in communion with me senators, and condemning them to the public service, while he advanced the adherents of Eustathius.  He has ordered a second synod of bishops of Galatia and Pontus to be assembled at Nyssa. Mansi iii. 502.  The fruitlessness of Ancyra necessitated a second.  On Gregory’s deposition and banishment, see Greg. Nyss., De Vit Macr. ii. 192, and Ep. xviii. and xxii.  Also Greg. Naz., Ep. cxlii.  They have submitted, have met, and have sent to the Churches a man of whose character I do not like to speak; but your reverence can well understand what sort of a man he must be who would put himself at the disposal of such counsels of men. Tillemont supposes this to refer to some one sent on a visitation to the Churches.  The Ben. note prefers to apply it to the unknown intruder into the see of Nyssa, of whom Basil speaks with yet greater contempt in Letter ccxxxix.  Now, while I am thus writing, the same gang have hurried to Sebaste to unite with Eustathius, and, with him, to upset the Church of Nicopolis.  For the blessed Theodotus has fallen asleep.  Hitherto the Nicopolitans have bravely and stoutly resisted the vicar’s first assault; for he tried to persuade them to receive Eustathius, and to accept their bishop on his appointment.  But, on seeing them unwilling to yield, he is now trying, by yet more violent action, to effect the establishment of the bishop whom it has been attempted to give them. i.e. Fronto.  There is, moreover, said to be some rumoured expectation of a synod, by which means they mean to summon me to receive them into communion, or to be friendly with them.  Such is the position of the Churches.  As to my own health, I think it better to say nothing.  I cannot bear not to tell the truth, and by telling the truth I shall only grieve you.