Letter 180: Theodore Studite, Letter 180; Greek heading: Δομετιανῷ τέκνῳ.

You have always been accustomed, my child, to call upon me in my exiles as a true-born child calls upon its own mother, although you no longer need milk but feed on solid food in the Lord. What, then, is the cause of this? It is your great love, which cannot bear the separation. But may the Lord grant you his own kiss and strengthen you to complete in the best way the contest [agon, the struggle of confession] which already lies before you on his behalf; for I know who you are, that you ardently seek Christ. See, the time for finding is short; dispose yourself most valiantly. Let us drink, my child, the cup which our Lord drank, that we may be made sweet together with him unto the ages. Let us boil fervently with the fire of divine love, and let us not fear the winter of unbelief; for you know what the lukewarm brethren have suffered. We shall be among those who are fervent, whose crowns are equal to those of the martyrs; may these be ours as well. I have received your offerings now also, and especially the flask of oil; and why did you send the very thing you had for yourself? Yet may my God repay you with eternal things. Pray for me, the lowly one, more fervently. The brethren who are with me send their greetings.