To Bishop Basil, Asking Him to Answer the Slanders

It is nothing remarkable that the reproaches aimed at me are heard in silence by people who do not know me. But that your holiness should not refute the lies of those who revile me, or should refute them only up to a point and without much heart, is beyond the belief of anyone who knows your character and conduct. I do not say this because friendship ought to be preferred to truth, but because the witness of truth is on the side of friendship. Your reverence has very often heard me preaching in church, and in other gatherings where I have spoken on questions of doctrine. You have listened to what I said, and I know of no occasion when you found fault with me for expressing unorthodox opinions. But what is happening now? Why in the world, my dear friend, do you not say a word against falsehood, while you allow a friend to be slandered and the truth to be attacked? If it is because you disregard the helpless and insignificant, remember the plain proclamation of the Lord’s command: “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones who believe in me; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” But if it is the influence of my slanderers that keeps you silent, you must listen to the other law, which says, “Do not show favor to the mighty,” and, “Judge with right judgment,” and, “Do not follow a crowd to do evil,” and, “He who shuts his eyes from seeing evil and stops his ears from hearing of blood.” You may find countless passages like these in holy Scripture. I have not thought it necessary to collect them when writing to a man brought up on the divine oracles, who waters Christian people with his teaching. But this I will say: we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and give account of our words and deeds. I dread that tribunal for every other reason; yet now that I am surrounded by slander, I find my chief comfort in the thought of it. [a]