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AMONG the bishops were the two Gregorii, the one of Nazianzus
and the other of Nyssa, the latter the brother and the former the
friend and fellow worker of the great Basilius. These were foremost
champions of piety in Cappadocia; and in front rank with them was
Peter, born of the same parents with Basilius and Gregorius, who
though not having received like them a foreign education, like them
lived a life of brilliant distinction.
In Pisidia Optimus, in Lycaonia Amphilochius, fought in the front
rank on behalf of their fathers' faith, and repelled tim enemies'
assaults.
In the West Damasus, Bishop of Rome, and Ambrosius, entrusted
with the government of Milan, smote those who attacked them from
afar. In conjunction with these, bishops forced to dwell in remote
regions, confirmed their friends and undid their foes by writings,
thus pilots able to cope with the greatness of the storm were granted by
the governor of the universe. Against the violence of the foe He set
in battle array the virtue of His captains, and provided means meet to
ward off the troubles of these difficult times, and not only were the
churches granted this kind of protection by their loving Lord, but
deemed worthy of yet another kind of guidance.
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