Gregory Nazianzen the Theologian Funeral Oration on St Basil the Great (Oration XLIII), Complete

Translated by Ch. Browne and J. Swallow.

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48 Pages

Page 46

78. But when, after he had finished his course, and kept the faith, [4580] he longed to depart, and the time for his crown was approaching, [4581] he did not hear the summons: "Get thee up into the mountain and die," [4582] but "Die and come up to us." And here again he wrought a wonder in no wise inferior to those mentioned before. For when he was almost dead, and breathless, and had lost the greater part of his powers; he grew stronger in his last words, so as to depart with the utterances of religion, and, by ordaining the most excellent of his attendants, bestowed upon them both his hand and the Spirit: so that his disciples, who had aided him in his priestly office, might not be defrauded of the priesthood. The remainder of my task I approach, but with reluctance, as it would fall more fully from the mouths of others than from my own. For I cannot philosophise over my misfortune, even if I greatly longed to do so, when I recollect that the loss is common to us all, and that the misfortune has befallen the whole world.

79. He lay, drawing his last breath, and awaited by the choir on high, towards which he had long directed his gaze. Around him poured the whole city, unable to bear his loss, inveighing against his departure, as if it had been an oppression, and clinging to his soul, as though it had been capable of restraint or compulsion at their hands or their prayers. Their suffering had driven them distracted, all were eager, were it possible, to add to his life a portion of their own. And when they failed, for it must needs be proved that he was a man, and, with his last words "Into thy Hands I commend my spirit," [4583] he had joyfully resigned his soul to the care of the angels who carried him away; not without having some religious instructions and injunctions for the benefit of those who were present—then occurred a wonder more remarkable than any which had happened before.

[4580] 2 Tim. iv. 7.

[4581] Phil. i. 23.

[4582] Deut. xxxii. 49.

[4583] Ps. xxxi. 6.

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