Letter 143: Theodore Studite, Letter 143; Greek heading: Ὑπατίσσῃ.

Reckoning myself a debtor to your honored person in God, because I have enjoyed the gifts of your piety, I have sent the present little letter, making an apology to your lordship. For what is the cause? That your most compassionate soul was so deeply moved, first to open the door of your God-guarded house to brother Proterius for every rest and refreshment, and at such a time, when the many among friends and kinsmen shut their houses against the faces of those who are persecuted for Christ's sake, out of human fear; and then also to send on to us lowly ones the things that serve for rest and consolation. It is therefore the work of much compunction and goodness on your part, a proof of much love of piety and love of the commandments, to do good to a man not known to you, and one who moreover is a sinner. But this is no orphaned act; rather it springs up out of a good treasury of very many other good works and of your orthodox faith, just as the letter-carrier also reports to us. We glorify God therefore over you (since the virtuous life of your widowhood is unto the glory of God); and then we also pray that your good things may abide with you unalienated, so that, living ever more gloriously, you may attain to the measure of perfection and may obtain the kingdom of the heavens, whose works you are accomplishing. So may it be.