Today's meditation: One soul in two bodies

We were in Athens, departed from the same homeland, divided, like the course of a river, in different regions for the desire to learn, and together again, as for an agreement, but in reality by divine disposition.
Then not only did I feel overwhelmed by my great Basil for the seriousness of his customs and the maturity and wisdom of his speeches, I also induced others who did not know him to do the same. Many, however, already esteemed him highly, having known and listened to him previously.
What followed? That almost he alone, among all those who came to Athens for study, was considered out of the ordinary order, having reached an estimate that placed him well above the simple disciples. This is the beginning of our friendship; hence the incentive for our close relationship; so we felt taken from mutual affection.
When, with the passage of time, we manifested our intentions to each other and understood that the love of wisdom was what we were both looking for, then we both became for each other: companions, diners, brothers. We aspired to the same good and cultivated our common ideal every day more fervently and intimately.
The same eagerness to know guided us, what of all excitement of envy; yet no envy among us, emulation was appreciated instead. This was our race: not who was the first, but who allowed the other to be.
It seemed that we had a single soul in two bodies. If we must not absolutely trust those who claim that everything is in everyone, we must believe without hesitation, because really one was in the other and with the other.
The only occupation and craving for both was virtue, and living tense to future hopes and behaving as if we were exiled from this world, even before we left our present life. Such was our dream. That is why we directed our life and our conduct on the path of divine commandments and animated each other to the love of virtue. And do not be accused of being presumptuous if I say that we were the norm and rule to distinguish good from evil.
And while others receive their titles from their parents, or if they obtain them themselves from the activities and businesses of their lives, for us instead it was a great reality and a great honor to be and to call us Christians.