Letter 165: Theodore Studite, Letter 165; Greek heading: Συμεὼν τέκνῳ.

It is not only when I write that I remember you, beloved child, since that would be no great thing; rather, I always keep good remembrance of you, together with my child Abba Antonius who is with you, praying that you both be guarded like two pupils of the eyes, unclouded in faith and in the love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. And I commend all the more your good sense, my child, that you have removed yourself far away, fleeing from the land that bore you, dwelling as a sojourner in a foreign place; for what profit was the sitting still to Daniel when he was at ease? Therefore I am grieved that in fact the foremost brother, unlawfully and to the giving of scandal, has remained behind, together with those he has with him. You, then, with godly thinking, have done well to go into exile, and you proceed on your way; and may the Lord make you complete unto every good work, working in you that which is well-pleasing to him. But help also, in whatever way you can, your brothers who are not sitting rightly [those who have wrongly compromised], whether by letter or by your presence in person, both with regard to the aforementioned man and with regard to those in the place where you are. This I say on account of Theonas and Theophilus the carpenter; for I hear that the one has become utterly defiant, and that the other is staying with his sister. To the latter I have sent a letter; and for the love of God take the trouble to go all the way to him and to deliver to him the letter and to read it aloud, which letter is also enclosed within your own letter. And perhaps God, seeing your labor, will set his life in good order. But concerning Theonas I have for the present held back from writing, lest he even become a betrayer. Yet I beg you, in his case too, either in person or by letters, to learn his disposition [literally, his strength or capacity], saying to him: "Our father is exceedingly grieved, having heard things not good concerning you; and write to him, for I too am able to see to it that your letter reaches him safely, and he will write back to you." And perhaps in this way he will be drawn in and will write, or else we will learn fully of his apostasy. Yes, my children, I beseech you, take pains in this matter; and the God of my father will show you forth as pillars and foundations of his Church, in that you endure not only the afflictions of exile, but also the contests, even unto blood, on behalf of his love, praying also for our lowliness, that we may be saved in all things. The brothers who are with me greet you with longing. Grace be with you. Amen.