You did well, my God-beloved child, in sending the brother as a good messenger; and at the sight of him, together with his message, we were heartened and gave thanks to the Lord. You judged that we, having learned by living voice, were content and had no need of a letter. But it is not so. And yet you did not even give us by word of mouth an answer concerning the things we asked: namely, whether it is possible to send a letter to the bishops who have been sent into exile, and whether it is good to compose iambic verses against the iconoclasts [opponents of the holy images] -- not so much for the benefit of others as for my own, so as to draw my mind away in the other direction, dragging it out of unseemly things. Write, therefore, as often as anyone arrives, even if nothing else, at least that you are well and that the brothers are safe. For I want your brief word of greeting as I do not want the long discourses of others; for where do I even draw breath, except in you, who are my heart? It is necessary, moreover, that my Proterios be sent again to those in the city, for the examination of our brothers, carrying, as I think it good, also a brief letter from you to those around Abba Gregory, anointing them unto firmness of strength (for it is fitting that others too should do this, much more we ourselves; but I for the present have held back out of fear of the examination); and to those who are at the Stoudios [monastery] consoling words by word of mouth, and that I am praying for them and in agony of concern. Do not be afraid, child. Christ is with us, even if we walk in the midst of the shadow of death. As for certain persons coming here, what do you indicate to me? Those whom you send, I see; who they are, I do not inquire, for you make good provision for security. See, by means of the brother Adrianos and of the chelandion [a light warship], whom you send and when. It is clear that it is both necessary and done of necessity; for concerning yourself, for the present, be content, and as the Lord prospers the way. Read, have work to do, pray fervently; may the Lord save you. I greet my Kallistos. Those who are with me greet you.
You did well, my God-beloved child, in sending the brother as a good messenger; and at the sight of him, together with his message, we were heartened and gave thanks to the Lord. You judged that we, having learned by living voice, were content and had no need of a letter. But it is not so. And yet you did not even give us by word of mouth an answer concerning the things we asked: namely, whether it is possible to send a letter to the bishops who have been sent into exile, and whether it is good to compose iambic verses against the iconoclasts [opponents of the holy images] -- not so much for the benefit of others as for my own, so as to draw my mind away in the other direction, dragging it out of unseemly things. Write, therefore, as often as anyone arrives, even if nothing else, at least that you are well and that the brothers are safe. For I want your brief word of greeting as I do not want the long discourses of others; for where do I even draw breath, except in you, who are my heart? It is necessary, moreover, that my Proterios be sent again to those in the city, for the examination of our brothers, carrying, as I think it good, also a brief letter from you to those around Abba Gregory, anointing them unto firmness of strength (for it is fitting that others too should do this, much more we ourselves; but I for the present have held back out of fear of the examination); and to those who are at the Stoudios [monastery] consoling words by word of mouth, and that I am praying for them and in agony of concern. Do not be afraid, child. Christ is with us, even if we walk in the midst of the shadow of death. As for certain persons coming here, what do you indicate to me? Those whom you send, I see; who they are, I do not inquire, for you make good provision for security. See, by means of the brother Adrianos and of the chelandion [a light warship], whom you send and when. It is clear that it is both necessary and done of necessity; for concerning yourself, for the present, be content, and as the Lord prospers the way. Read, have work to do, pray fervently; may the Lord save you. I greet my Kallistos. Those who are with me greet you.
AI-assisted translation - This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.