Letter 125: Theodore Studite, Letter 125; Greek heading: Βασσιανῷ τέκνῳ.

It is the right moment for me to write to you privately, my beloved child, now that you have been separated from your brothers. I have given thanks and I give thanks to my God for you, because beyond what I had hoped I have now found you faithful in the Lord, a noble man, a guardian of unadulterated obedience, a lamb of Christ, who chooses to die for his sake. Even from your first letters I praised you and welcomed you, when you disclosed to me the things that had befallen you all, and with such good courage. Well done, my good child Bassianos! Perhaps it has been God's dispensation [oikonomia, the divine ordering of events] that you were not taken up with me in my exile, so that the proof of your virtue might be made manifest. You confessed, you were imprisoned, you were tried by fire like gold in affliction and in weakness; still, my child, persevere with long-suffering, so that you may shine out like the sun. For Orestes and Aphrates could not bear to be grieved even a little; therefore they have become sons of darkness. Suffer hardship, just for a little while, as a soldier of Christ, looking to the things above, considering the things to come; for the present things fly away like dreams. Such is the joy with which you will leap a little while hereafter, not only in the age to come, but here as well. Therefore be of good courage, get through hour by hour, watching also the enemies within, so that we may be unconquered on every side. And even if we should fall a little in some way, let us rise up again the more quickly. Let us pray, let us weep, let us lift up the heart to God, and at once the help is there. Yes, my child, I entreat you, yes, I beg by your love: complete your contest, praying also for me the sinner, that I may be saved. The brother Nicholas greets you.