What is the Christian stance on companionship and friendship?

St. Basil the Great says, “we would never attribute so much to ourselves as to think that we, single-handed, could succeed in our difficulties, knowing well that we need the help of each one of our brethren more than one hand needs the other. Then, too, the Lord has taught us the necessity of unity of action from the very construction of our bodies. For, when I reflect upon these our limbs, that not one of them is sufficient in itself for activity, how shall I consider that I alone am strong enough to combat the troubles of life? In fact, neither could one foot move safely forward unless the other helped to support it, nor could the eye see clearly if it did not have the other as its partner, and if it did not, in harmony with it, cast its glance upon the objects to be seen. The hearing is more accurate when it receives the sound through both channels; the grasp is stronger through the co-operation of the fingers. And, in general, I see that none of the actions performed either naturally or by inclination is accomplished without the agreement of kindred forces, since even prayer itself which does not come from persons praying together is much feebler, the Lord having declared that He will be in the midst if two or three call upon Him with oneness of mind (cf. Matt. 18:20).”¹¹³⁰

Anyone who looks closely at the Church’s reaction to oppression and persecution realizes that Christians love others, even those who oppress them, and so they have done everything they could to serve both their fellow believers and non-believers alike. We can say that the Church’s positivity, both on the individual and collective level, in serving everyone has not only helped her to survive, but to also to win non-believers to the faith and spur many to accept death (martyrdom) — even catechumens who had not yet been baptized.

St. Justin Martyr says, “We who valued above all things the acquisition of wealth and possessions, now bring what we have into a common stock, and share with everyone in need.”¹¹³¹

Tertullian says, “On Sundays, each puts in a small donation; but only if it be his pleasure, and only if he is able to: for there is no compulsion; all is voluntary. These gifts are, as it were, piety's deposit fund. For they are not taken thence and spent on feasts, and drinking-

1129 St. Polycarp of Smyrna, The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians 12 (ANF 1:36).

1130 St. Basil of Caesarea, Letters 1–185 97 To the Senate of Tyana (FOTC 13:215).

1131 St. Justin Martyr, First Apology 14 (ANF 1:167).

bouts, and eating-houses, but to support and bury poor people, to supply the wants of boys and girls destitute of means and parents, and of old persons confined now to the house; such, too, as have suffered shipwreck; and if there happen to be any in the mines, or banished to the islands, or shut up in the prisons, for nothing but their fidelity to the cause of God’s Church, they become the nurslings of their confession. But it is mainly the deeds of a love so noble that lead many to put a brand upon us. See, they say, how they love one another, for themselves are animated by mutual hatred; how they are ready even to die for one another, for they themselves will sooner put to death.”¹¹³²