Letter 104: Theodore Studite, Letter 104; Greek heading: Τῷ αὐτῷ.

I, the humble one, gave thanks to the Lord when I saw the brother Proterios, for I had been anxious about his deliverance; and I know that this comes from the Lord, who, overlooking my sins for the benefit of the brethren, prospered his coming in and his going out and made him pass, as it were, unscorched through the midst of fire. But as for the things that have now been reported, some are well and some are otherwise. In the former, indeed, there is joy and thanksgiving, especially because even women play the man against the devil; but in the latter there is grief and groaning. For how should the fallings of brethren not distress us, and all the more in proportion as the people-deceiving heresy [the iconoclast heresy, which deceives the people] also prospers? Yet nonetheless it is necessary to bear it, while we remain unswerving from the love of Christ; and even if again and again-which is also what is likely-the affairs of the Christians should grow more grievous, He guards us well. But I do not know how it is that you put forward 'guard yourself from the woman who shares your bed' [an echo of Micah 7:5]; pardon me now, brother, in speaking and do not keep silent, for 'I have much people' [cf. Acts 18:10], there is need-the one saying directed toward those who are alien to the faith, the other toward those who are of one mind with us. But I, the wretched one, am continually distressed, gripped by fear of the judgment of God because I do not write and because I do not receive a letter; for this is a work of the love of God, whereas to keep silent and for each one to look to himself, as though without danger, not only fails to possess the love of one's neighbor, but also works a rotting of the soul in the one who acts thus. For this reason I proceed somewhat in a middle way, and this with deliberation and with the comparison of those who are with me, being precise to such a degree as not to provoke God to anger against me and to fall away from the truth before the assault of the enemies of God, considering also this: how much I must contend against the others, and finding it to be threefold, while perhaps I do not even fulfill the single measure. Since it is also written that 'from him to whom they have entrusted much, they will require much more' [cf. Luke 12:48]. Nevertheless write, my child, and keep yourself safe; for I do not take it ill, but rather I would suggest to you again what is needful. And may the God of my father look upon all that we do and undertake, that it may be for His good pleasure. Farewell and be preserved, much-longed-for child.