Letter 131: Theodore Studite, Letter 131; Greek heading: Τῷ αὐτῷ.

O my good Ignatius, know that they are taking me from this place and removing me to another exile, where my Lord has prepared for me a place of rest. Do not, therefore, grieve, but rejoice, that I, the sinner, have been counted worthy to be banished and imprisoned for the sake of Christ. For what else on earth is more delightful or more pleasant than to suffer for God? I know you, then, to be steadfast in spirit; faithful to the Lord, keep yourself unspotted by the Christ-fighting heresy [the iconoclasts, who waged war against the holy images of Christ]. Alas for the traitor Nektarios, that he did not forget his ancient apostasy! Alas for the wretched Orestes, that, for the sake of his sufferings, he denied Christ, who suffered on his behalf, by subscribing against His icon [signing the iconoclast decree against the image of Christ]! "If they have persecuted me," Christ says, "they will persecute you also." What wonder, then, if we are persecuted for His sake? Would that we had even died! These things I give you as in a testament, from me the lowly one. But you, O good child, together with faith, take care also for every good work. Hold genuine friendship with all your brethren, and especially with the steward [oikonomos, the monk charged with the administration of the monastery], so that, by the concord of the leaders, those who are subordinate may also be of one mind. Apply yourself to reading; make yourself wise in the things of God. Pray also for me the sinner, that I may be saved. May Christ our God be a guard to you in all things. Amen.