Letter 182: Theodore Studite, Letter 182; Greek heading: Γενναδίῳ τέκνῳ.

Late, to be sure, but nevertheless I have received your letter, my beloved child, and a graceful one it was. But why were you so late? Do you not know that, in our separation, unless the joining-together by writing takes place, both the good thing of love and the concord of faith are imperiled? And if you were not capable of writing because of inexperience with letters, there would be excuse for it; though even so you would not be wholly beyond reproach, since you could carry out your duty by another's hand. But seeing that by the grace of Christ you are strong enough even to furnish yourself to others [as a teacher of letters], your slowness is not praiseworthy. Yet let this be forgiven you. But why do you attach to me praises in which I have no share? Pray, then, that I may attain God through right conduct in every manner; and this same thing I too ask on your behalf, that you may be kept safe, taken captive neither by the unseen enemies nor by those now seen, and that you may bring your deposit [the soul entrusted to you] unharmed to God who gave it. So be it.