Letter 153: Theodore Studite, Letter 153; Greek heading: Τῷ αὐτῷ.

You were quick, my child, to visit our lowliness; but longing is a thing that cannot bear delay, reckoning the days as hours and the years as seasons. I give thanks therefore to my God that, unworthy as I am, I am thus cherished and cared for by you. You sent the good Adrianus for my encouragement and consolation (not without trouble, clearly, on account of the joining and the separating of those who were with him; for this too I give thanks), and him indeed I kept, for he was going about somewhere outside. But those who are with brother Silvanus I have sent back again, having been comforted in their company. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good tidings of peace, of those who bring good tidings of good things [Romans 10:15]: such are these men, that I may set forth in brief what concerns them. We who are lowly have health of body present with us; may there be health of soul also, through your prayers. All that was reported to me both by letter and by mouth, I have learned; and, sinner that I am, I beg that all our fathers and brothers be confirmed in our immovable faith of the truth, both those of our own body [community] and those of the common fullness. Blessed is he who abounds in sufferings on behalf of Christ and renders up the end of the contest. Behold, now is the season of martyrdom; for him who conquers, the crown is from God. Rejoice, therefore, and contend, O good Naukratios, you who have become, true to your name, 'strength of mind' [the name Naukratios is here glossed by Theodore as 'might/strength' (kratos)], ever sober, accomplishing all things according to the divine will; for, as it says, giving no offense in anything, that our ministry be not blamed, but in everything commending ourselves as ministers of God [2 Corinthians 6:3-4]. For the present, let no one cross over to us, because of the going out of the nation [the foreign/barbarian people], or [wait] until it has returned. How greatly I lamented over the suffering of the two brothers, the letter to abba Athanasius also makes plain. Let the worthy Silvanus depart with thanksgiving on his journey in the Lord, furnished also by you with letters. The discourse which I sent, let it be transcribed among others as well, so that it may be preserved; I ventured to compose it out of longing, if indeed it is not very much to be spurned by those who read it, and an insult to the Mother of the Lord. But may you be entreated to propitiate her on my behalf. Greet the fourth, the ninth [persons designated by numeral, '4' and '9']; greet the fellow-cell-dwellers; greet the keepers of the mysteries; those who are with me greet you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, amen.