Слово 13. Произнесенное при рукоположении Евлалия в епископа Доарского

1. Accept, brothers, my word, although it is very short and far from perfect. But the Lord God knows how to weigh mercy with righteous judgment; for he accepts Paul’s planting, like Paul’s, and Apollo’s watering (1 Cor. 3:6), and the widow’s two mites (Luke 21:3), and the humility of the publican (18:13), and Manasseh’s confession (2 Chron. 33:13). You too accept the newly composed word about the newly ordained shepherd. Receive a voice of thanksgiving for the miracles we see. Although we are small and the last of the children of Israel, nothing prevents the little ones from giving rich thanks. Of course, the most perfect will give God the most perfect praise, and we will bring him now what we can. So, sing a new song to the Lord, for you have created a wondrous one (Ps. 97:1)! We were overwhelmed by the waves, overcome, driven out; some disasters have already oppressed us, while others have threatened us. Who changed the storm into a calm wind? Who crushed the weapon, the sword and the battle? Who accepted us, exiled and rejected? Didn't you, O God, create this? The Lord is strong and strong, the Lord is strong in battle (Ps. 23:8), - 2. He split the sea, He fed the fleeing people in the desert, sending them a wonderful rain 93, He brought out water from the stone, He defeated Amalek with an inexplicable and mysterious lifting of hands (for the hands of the priest, erected on the mountain and taking a position of prayer, accomplished what many thousands could not do); He destroyed the walls without battering guns or battle; I will say, finally, He overthrew Goliath, the proud and arrogant descendant of giants, who dared to go against the great David. Therefore, let us say unanimously: blessed is the Lord, who did not let us be caught by their teeth. The stream has passed away our soul, like a bird that has escaped from the snare of those who catch it (Ps. 124:4, 6, 7); Let’s add other things that the soul, rejoiced by the great gift of God, says. I came not to bring a sword, but peace. I did not go to shame the great shepherd 94 who presides over the glorious city 95 . I know that he is venerable, I recognize him as the head, I call him a saint, although he suffered offense; let him only be loving of children and care about his Church. I tried to increase, not reduce, the number of priests; to depose heretics, and not to reduce the number of Orthodox. 3. What are you saying, son of Dathan and Abiron, 96 an unreasonable leader who dared to rebel against Moses and raise his hands against us, as they opened their mouths against the great servant of God? And you weren't horrified? Aren't you ashamed? Did not your flesh scatter on the earth when you intended this? And after this, will you stretch out the same hands to God, will you begin to bring Him gifts, pray for the people? I am afraid that the sword of God will remain inactive and at peace even before that. You have not done anything important to your shepherd, but you have caused yourself a lot of harm, alienating yourself from the grace of God. 4. Now come, best and most perfect of shepherds 97, and together with us or even before us, receive your people, who have been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit, who are brought to you by the Angels, which your life and good morals have acquired for you! Do not be surprised that you inherit the throne despite various temptations and obstacles. Nothing great happens without temptation and testing; for according to the natural order, the unimportant is accompanied by convenience, and the high by difficulty. You heard him say that through many sorrows it is fitting for us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Acts 14:22), say it yourself: we passed through fire and water, and brought us into rest (Ps. 66:12). Oh miracle! Evening may be mourning, and joy will come in the morning (Ps. 29:6). Let the enemies shout and widen their mouths, like dogs barking in vain, but we will not fight. Teach to worship God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, in three Persons, in one glory and lightness. Require the lost, strengthen the weak, provide the strong (Ezek. 34:16). We expect from you the same skill in spiritual matters that we know you have in worldly matters. Therefore, receive from the highest leaders the most perfect armor, with the help of which you will be able to quench the arrows of the evil one (Eph. 6:16) and present to the Lord a chosen people (Tit. 2:14), a holy tongue, a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9), in Christ Jesus the Lord, to whom be glory forever. Amen. These and subsequent words refer to Anthimus, Bishop of Tyana, who was at enmity with Basil the Great.