Letter 120: Theodore Studite, Letter 120; Greek heading: Τῷ αὐτῷ.

The news astounded me greatly, my child; and what can I say except that it was a movement of God that our noble brothers were so emboldened to act recklessly in the affair concerning the impious Antonius? They have therefore carried off the glory of martyrs, men who summoned of their own accord the sacred contests [the "sacred wrestling-grounds," the arena of confession and suffering], and there is no one who gainsays it. But blessed be our God, who made them manful and strengthened them and counted them worthy to bear his own marks [stigmata; cf. Galatians 6:17, the brands of suffering for Christ]. May they pray concerning me, the lowly one, that I may walk behind them. Well done also to [the 8th] and to [the 9th], because of necessity, or rather they too in the manner of martyrs gave themselves over to be seized for the help of those who are being ill-treated in the monastery. May the Lord bless and have mercy upon my good Proterios as well, both in his goings in and in his goings out. And again, my child, send him, even if it is a bold thing, and may the Lord prosper his ways, for it is on his account that the word and the manner are; and "he who labors," it says, "shall set his thigh" [shall be put to the test]. And how else shall God be glorified than by showing his good devisings in the midst of helplessness? Now is the time for the tokens of those who love their brothers, now for the marks of those who love their children. For this reason I too, the wretched one, am eager, am required, to write, to exhort, to give support as far as is possible, putting human concerns in second place, taking as my pattern in this work the deed of Saint Kyprianos, I the unworthy one; for the Theologian [Gregory of Nazianzus, the Theologian] says that even when he had been sent into exile he did not cease, by his letters, anointing and strengthening those under his hand, out of whom he produced many martyrs. Come then, my child, send [the 600] again, carrying letters, he being instructed by your shrewdness; and may the Lord look upon the work and make his way easy. Faith it is that accomplishes great things, faith it is that delivers even out of death; leaning upon this we do what we do, we the unworthy. Concerning [the 40], when Euthalios returns, then send him forward, God prospering it. As for the matter of which I spoke to you, by your prayers we have been relieved; but there is need of [the 40]. As for the rest, act as the Lord prospers you, and write also to [the 8th] and to [the 9th]. May the Lord save you, my child. Greet the brothers; those who are with me salute you.