St Basil

 

St Basil was an unyielding soul in the face of any kind of secular authority. Once, the emperor Valerius, who supported the Arians, sent him his envoy Modestus. The imperial envoy threatened him with confiscation of his property, exile and martyrdom. Unperturbed, Basil replied:

– “A few worn-out clothes and a few books constitute all my property; therefore I do not fear confiscation. I do not count exile, because in this world I am a sojourner. Nor do I fear martyrdom, because I consider death to be a benefactor, because it will lead me more quickly to God.”