Sketch of the Life and Works of Saint Basil the Great

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The success of the Catholics roused, as was inevitable, various feelings. Athanasius wrote from Alexandria [147] to congratulate Cappadocia on her privilege in being ruled by so illustrious a primate. Valens prepared to carry out the measures against the Catholic province, which had been interrupted by the revolt of Procopius. The bishops of the province who had been narrowly out-voted, and who had refused to take part in the consecration, abandoned communion with the new primate. [148] But even more distressing to the new archbishop than the disaffection of his suffragans was the refusal of his friend Gregory to come in person to support him on his throne. Gregory pleaded that it was better for Basil's own sake that there should be no suspicion of favour to personal friends, and begged to be excused for staying at Nazianzus. [149] Basil complained that his wishes and interests were disregarded, [150] and was hurt at Gregory's refusing to accept high responsibilities, possibly the coadjutor-bishopric, at Caesarea. [151] A yet further cause of sorrow and annoyance was the blundering attempt of Gregory of Nyssa to effect a reconciliation between his uncle Gregory, who was in sympathy with the disaffected bishops, and his brother. He even went so far as to send more than one forged letter in their uncle's name. The clumsy counterfeit was naturally found out, and the widened breach not bridged without difficulty. [152]

[147] Athan., Ad Pall. 953; Ad Johan, et Ant. 951.

[148] This is inferred from the latter part of Ep. xlviii. cf. Maran, Vit. Bas. xiii. 3.

[149] Greg. Naz., Ep. xlv.

[150] Id. Ep. xlvi.

[151] tende tes kathedras timen. Greg. Naz., Or. xliii.

[152] Epp. lviii., lix., lx.

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