Letter
CCV.
2751
To Elpidius the bishop
.
2752
Once
again I have started the
well-beloved presbyter Meletius to carry my greeting to you. I
had positively determined to spare him, on account of the weakness
which he
has voluntarily brought
upon himself, by bringing his body into subjection for the sake of the
gospel of Christ. But I have judged it fitting to salute you by
the ministry of such men as he is, able to supply of themselves all the
shortcomings of my letter, and to become, alike to writer and
recipient, a kind of living epistle. I am also carrying out the
very strong wish, which he has always had, to see your excellency, ever
since he has had experience of the high qualities you possess. So
now I have besought him to travel to you, and through him I discharge
the debt of the visit I owe you, and beseech you to pray for me and for
the Church of God, that the Lord may grant me deliverance from the
injuries of the enemies of the Gospel, and to pass my life in peace and
quiet. Nevertheless, if you in your wisdom, think it needful that
we should travel to the same spot, and meet the rest of our right
honourable brother bishops of the sea board regions, do you yourself
point out a suitable place and time where and when this meeting may
take place. Write to our brethren to the end that each and all
may, at the appointed time, leave the business they may have in hand,
and may be able to effect something for the edification of the Churches
of God, do away with the pain which we now suffer from our mutual
suspicions, and establish love, without which the Lord Himself has
ordained that obedience to every commandment must be of none
effect.
2751
Placed in
375.
2752
Of what
see is uncertain. He was in friendly relations with Basil, and
therefore was not in communion with Eustathius of Sebaste.
(
Letter
ccli.)