Letter 118: Theodore Studite, Letter 118; Greek heading: Τῷ αὐτῷ.

How good your letter is, beloved child, announcing to us as glad tidings all the things we pray for. First, the lordly day of the Lady Theotokos [Mother of God]; second, the change of your bodily health for the better; then the good health of the brethren, and indeed of the seven as well; then the working of a miracle by the venerable icon [image] of Christ. For even if the death of the reckless one is something to be lamented over (and how could it not be?), yet our Lord and God is to be glorified, who has worked a miracle even in His own icon, even if the impious are not converted but contrive the death otherwise, since even the Jews did the same with the true resurrection of Christ. But to us both are objects of faith. May God deal well with the good Gaianus. A good angel [messenger] has come, an angel of such a kind, and let him depart just as you have said. May Nilus also be blessed, if he has visited the seven, together with those who sent him. The brother Ignatius too has come with good intent. Let Proterius proceed on his way. But why do I cause you trouble by my frequent visiting? Yet since it is the feast, may the Lord grant you your reward. Greet the first and the second from us.