E00773: Basil of Caesarea in 376 writes his encyclical Letter 243, addressed to the bishops of Italy and Gaul, reporting on the persecution of the Orthodox by the Arian authorities in the East. He deplores that, although people suffer and die as martyrs, they are not venerated as such. Written in Greek at Kaisareia/Caesarea of Cappadocia (central Asia Minor).

Basil of Caesarea, Letters (CPG 2900), Letter 243

ΠΡΟΣ ΙΤΑΛΟΥΣ ΚΑΙ ΓΑΛΛΟΥΣ ΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΥΣ ΠΕΡΙ ΤΗΣ ΚΑΤΑΣΤΑΣΕΩΣ ΚΑΙ ΣΥΓΧΥΣΕΩΣ ΤΩΝ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΩΝ

Διωγμὸς κατείληφεν ἡμᾶς, ἀδελφοὶ τιμιώτατοι, καὶ διωγμῶν ὁ βαρύτατος. Διώκονται γὰρ ποιμένες, ἵνα διασκορπισθῶσι τὰ ποίμνια. Καὶ τὸ βαρύτατον, ὅτι οἱ μὲν κακούμενοι ἐν πληροφορίᾳ μαρτυρίου τὰ πάθη δέχονται, οἱ δὲ λαοὶ οὐκ ἐν μαρτύρων τάξει τοὺς ἀθλητὰς θεραπεύουσι διὰ τὸ Χριστιανῶν ὄνομα τοῖς διώκουσι περικεῖσθαι.

‘To the Bishops of Italy and Gaul, regarding the Condition and Confusion of the Churches
(……)
A persecution has befallen us, most venerable brethren, indeed the most severe of persecutions. For shepherds are being persecuted that their flocks may be scattered. And the gravest thing is that, although those wronged accept their sufferings in the certainty of martyrdom, the people do not reverence the athletes according to the rank of martyrs, because the persecutors bear the name of Christians. 
(……)’

Text: Courtonne, vol. 3, 69.
Translation E. Rizos.