Letter 123: Theodore Studite, Letter 123; Greek heading: Θεοκτίστῳ τέκνῳ.

Although I have been separated from you in body, my child Theoktistos, yet not in spirit; for I always see you in my mind, taking pains over your governance [of your community] as to how things stand with respect to the soul, how with respect to the body. And indeed a true sign of the things I am saying is this: that seven times a day, in my sinful prayer, I make mention of you by name together with your community; such is my labor of care concerning you as well. And I know that you are in want, that you are hard-pressed and afflicted, but the blessedness of persecution is yours from Christ. Therefore rejoice in the hope of the eternal good things, lightening thereby your sorrows; for how greatly will you rejoice even here, after deliverance from the trials, and how you will leap for joy in the age to come! Now for the third time you are being persecuted for the Lord's sake; you shall have a threefold crown. Do not fall down, my beloved child, into slackness, but stand yet nobly. And even if one must die, let us die together with Christ, that we may also live together with him unto the ages; for we shall surely die in any case, even if we do not wish it. Yes, I beseech you, my child. And I rejoice that my good Methodios is also with you. May Christ be within, in the midst of you, sheltering you, giving you good courage, and providing for all things. Pray you also for me, the lowly one, that I may be saved together with you. The brother Nikolaos sends his greetings.