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Saints Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian (icon), Russian icon painter

Gregory of Nazianzus, Letters Letter 49: To Basil. (The Praises of Quiet.)

Russian icon painter, Saints Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian (icon), 2-я четверть XIX · Public domainRussian icon painter, Saints Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian (icon), 2-я четверть XIX

SectionGregory of NazianzusPublic domainCorrespondence with Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Cæsarea

You accuse me of laziness and idleness, because I did not accept your Sasima, and because I have not bestirred myself like a Bishop, and do not arm you against each other like a bone thrown into the midst of dogs. My greatest business always is to keep free from business. And to give you an idea of one of my good points, so much do I value freedom from business, that I think I might even be a standard to all men of this kind of magnanimity, and if only all men would imitate me the Churches would have no troubles; nor would the faith, which every one uses as a weapon in his private quarrels, be pulled in pieces.

Reproduced in full. Translation: Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (Schaff and Wace, 1894), public domain (Public domain).

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