THEOSISBasil the Great
It is an inherent instinct of bees not to leave their hives unless guided by a king. Observing that the people of the Lord are, for the first time, approaching the celestial blossoms, the martyrs, I seek a leader. Who is the hero of this vast swarm? Who has transformed the bleakness of winter into the brilliance of spring? Truly, the people have now, as if from hives, emerged from the city to fill this splendid forecourt, this sacred and lovely realm of the martyrs. Since the miracle of the martyr has brought me here, inspiring me and lifting me from my weaknesses, I will, as if upon a flower, celebrate the deeds of this individual with my utmost voice, performing a deed that is both reverent and pleasing to those gathered.
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For “to him that praiseth the righteous shall men rejoice,” as the wise Solomon once stated. Nonetheless, I pondered the meaning behind this tribute: does it imply that when a skilled orator crafts a phrase that astonishes the listeners, they are captivated by an enchanting sound that pleases the ear, appreciating both the creativity of the ideas and the elegance of the delivery? Yet, these words cannot be uttered by one who has never engaged in such eloquence. Such an individual cannot counsel us to speak significantly and grandly in honor of the blessed, having preferred simple and unrefined speech everywhere. So what is his message? That people find joy in spiritual delight at the mere mention of the righteous, stirred to aspire and emulate the virtues they hear about. The narrative of those who thrive in life offers light to those pursuing salvation, guiding them on the journey of living. Thus, upon hearing the Spirit recount the life of Moses, a desire is awakened within us to embody this man's virtues; the gentleness of his character inspires admiration and imitation among all. While others are celebrated through spoken praises, the actions of the righteous alone suffice to reveal the grandeur of their virtue. Therefore, as we recount the lives of those who have basked in piety, we first honor the Lord through His servants; we testify to the righteousness of the saints and uplift others by sharing remarkable tales. In this way, the life of Joseph serves as a model of chastity, while the tale of Samson offers encouragement for courageousness. Divine teaching recognizes no constraints to praise but rather attributes glory to the testimony of actions, which suffices for the commendation of the saints and proves invaluable to those striving for virtue. The principles of praise are meant to recognize one's origin, lineage, and upbringing, but our approach, focusing on what truly belongs to each soul, omits mere affiliations. Does my honor increase because the city has achieved great and arduous feats, building splendid monuments to victories over foes? How does its favorable location, suitable for both winter and summer, benefit me? If the city is teeming with inhabitants and capable of sustaining numerous livestock, what value does that hold? Even if it surpasses all others in the number of horses, can it enhance our moral character? Further, when we recount the heights of a nearby mountain, veiled in clouds and soaring in the sky, are we not deceiving ourselves by thinking we are thereby honoring men? It is utterly absurd that the righteous scorn the entire world while we clutter their praises with trivialities. Therefore, it is sufficient to be remembered for our lasting impact. The righteous require no additional glory; rather, we, who dwell in this life, seek remembrance for the sake of imitation. Just as fire naturally emits light and peace exudes fragrance, so too must good deeds be accompanied by acts of usefulness. Nevertheless, it is also significant to understand in depth the truth of past events; we have inherited only vague accounts that preserve the courageous actions of these heroes, and it seems our task is akin to that of artists. As they depict images derived from other images, they inevitably stray far from the originals; likewise, we, lacking firsthand experience of these actions, face the risk of misrepresenting the truth. However, as we commemorate a martyr who valiantly labored in testimony for Christ, let us share what we know.