Letter 202: Theodore Studite, Letter 202; Greek heading: Ἀρκαδίῳ μοναχῷ.

I have heard how excellently you have ordered the things concerning yourself, beloved brother, and I have glorified God. Why so? Because you were not carried off together with those who have betrayed the truth through communion with the heretics, even though these may be of the rank of teachers; but rather, having torn yourself away from that fellowship which is severed from God, you have hidden yourself away, living in mountains and caves together with your attendants, choosing rather to be ill-treated and to suffer hardship than, for the sake of a fleeting pleasure, to forfeit eternal life, having as your guide and teacher Christ our God, for whose sake also is this suffering. Thanks, therefore, be to him who has granted you to become of a perfect mind. Of you indeed the world is not worthy [echoing Hebrews 11:38], since you live in a manner above the world according to the divine Apostle; to you indeed belongs the blessedness pronounced by Christ, since you have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness [echoing Matthew 5:10]. And it was fitting that one who for the love of God has forsaken the greatest of earthly dignities and the royal residences, and I would add also bodily beauties and abundant possessions, should not be captured ignobly and inhumanly, but should prefer the things of God and take refuge in the desert and mountainous regions; in which it is yours to conduct yourself like an angel, breathing God, beholding heaven, going about in the company of the angels. Endure, brother, the Lord who has called you, and he will exalt you in the greatest glory, both as an example of virtue to those still in the world and as an inheritance among the good things laid up in hope for those who love him. And remember us also, the unworthy ones who love you always, that we may depart this life in a manner pleasing to Christ in the present struggle. I greet most warmly those who are with you.