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Shorter Rules
St Basil the Great, tr. Lowther Clarke, 1925
Rule 308: In the Brotherhood Should a Donor Be Requited? And Should a Return Be Made Him…
This whole question is on a very low level.1 But if one must give a proof of gratitude let the decision rest with the steward, both as to receiving gifts and requiting donors.
Should a man dare to approach the communion of the holy things when some customary and natural mishap has happened to him?2
The apostle showed us that he who has been buried with Christ in baptism is superior to nature and customary things. In one place he said in the passage about baptism in water after that just quoted: “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin.”’ In another place he commands:3 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire and covetousness, the which is idolatry; for which things sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.”4 Elsewhere he propounds a rule, thus:5 They that are of Christ have crucified the flesh with its lusts and passions.”6 And I know that this has been attained both in men and women by the grace of Christ, through genuine faith in the Lord. But as for coming near the holy things in a state of uncleanness, we are taught from the Old Testament that the condemnation is terrible. But if something greater than the temple is here the apostle will surely chastise us in more terrible manner, saying: ‘“He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment unto himself.”7
Notes
- τοῦτο ὅλον τὸ ἐρώτημα ἀνθρώπινον.
- Cf. Cassian Conf. ii. 23.
- Rom. vi. 6.
- Col. 111. 5; 6.
- Gal. v. 24.
- Cf. Lev. xv.
- 1 Cor. xi. 29 add ἀναξίως K.