Letter 195: Theodore Studite, Letter 195; Greek heading: Ἰωσὴφ ἀδελφῷ καὶ ἀρχιεπισκόπῳ.

A consolation to my humble soul is the letter of Your Holiness, as often as it arrives, and most especially now, when I, the humble one, have been struck with dismay at what has befallen among our brothers. Thaddeus was put to death by the scourges for Christ's sake and was taken up among the martyrs; and so likewise were Dorotheus together with Bessarion and James, even though these still remain in the flesh. Lucian the humble was overcome, having given way somewhere about the middle of the blows and betrayed the truth; and so too four others, some of them having been flogged only a little, others having been terrified by the very threat. Oh, what events these are! From the first there comes unspeakable joy, but from the second an unbearable grief. What of the rest? The altars have been done away with, and every sacred house is being done away with; every company [of monks or clergy] turns to heresy [hairesis], every place has been set on fire, every door of piety [eusebeia, true religion] has been shut. It is deep night; the evils are over our heads. Do you see, brother, into what days we have been kept, days that differ from paganism either in nothing or in something small? But nevertheless, even so, thanks be to our good God, who has chosen us beforehand for the witness [martyrdom] of His Gospel. And who are we, the useless ones - so far at least as concerns me - and from where has this come to us, that we should be witnesses [martyrs] of His holy icon [eikon, sacred image]? But may it be granted to finish to the end the course of the confession, through the prayers of those who have departed before us. I rejoice to hear that your honored body is in good health, just as your soul is also; and I too am in like case, even though, with respect to both [body and soul] together, on account of my sins from that time there is nothing praiseworthy in me, even if I am spoken of with reverence by your esteemed self, as you know. But I, the least of all, pray that you may shine forth to the end among the high priests [archpriests, bishops] of Christ, kindling like beacon-fires splendid right deeds [katorthomata] upon your former splendors. Those who are with me, with reverence, greet my brothers who are under your sacred hand; and most particularly I salute Athanasius, my fellow-laborer and fellow-contender [in the struggle], with very many greetings.