Letter 130: Theodore Studite, Letter 130; Greek heading: Ἰγνατίῳ τέκνῳ.

Although I was not able to write to you privately before, now, my beloved child, having received your letter I write back with good cheer. Be in good health both in soul and in body, working for the kingdom of heaven, on whose behalf is also the persecution now visible at the hands of the enemies of the truth. You did well, then, in having gone to the place there, where the archbishop is, and the steward [oikonomos, the monastery's administrative officer], and the rest of the brethren, both those sent by the emperor and those who have governed the monastery from the beginning. Whether, then, in the Boskytion or in the Hagios Georgios [Saint George's], abide as I have instructed brother Tithoios. You are a man of God, trained by my humility in the ways of the monastic estate, advanced in virtue and thence led up to the priesthood, to the rank of epistemonarches [the monk charged with overseeing the brethren's discipline and instruction], not to mention that of chief calligrapher and keeper of the gold. All these are for your glory, for my glory. Show yourself, then, from this point on, my child, to your brothers, both those above you and your equals and those beneath you, as Ignatius the God-bearer [Saint Ignatius of Antioch], from whom you also take your name, giving grace in your speech, breathing forth the fragrant oils of good works, so that your sweet fragrance may run through to the full company of your brotherhood, so that you may shine forth in the kingdom of heaven as the sun a little while hereafter. For death is at work continually, as we see from our brothers themselves; and blessed is the one who has cleansed himself and so departs, leaving behind a holy name to those still living. So may it be for you, my child, to be made perfect. The brothers greet you warmly.