Letter 207: Theodore Studite, Letter 207; Greek heading: Πατρικίᾳ ἄλλῃ.

The present occasion to write to my lady has arisen by reason of our spiritual child, the abbot Peter, who is also a kinsman of your piety. And what is there that you have left undone, doing good to him as well, just as you have to those around the abbot Euodius and to the others who came before to belong to our most humble monastery? For these things, and through them, it is fitting to give thanks to you, to make our acknowledgment, and to pray that good things may prosper for you. May He, then, who supplies seed to the sower, also supply bread for food, and multiply the spiritual sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness in everything, as you grow rich through divine labor [cf. 2 Corinthians 9:10]; for this is your praise in this present life and a provision for eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. We enjoy your good things on every side, and we keep before our eyes a kindling of remembrance, namely the cushion, resting upon which, as in duty bound, we pray exceedingly for you. What follows? That you also guard the faith, as I learn, like the top of your head [literally, like your headpiece], having the prudence of the serpent according to the Scripture, and the innocence of the dove [cf. Matthew 10:16]. Oh, your praiseworthy piety! You know that nothing is to be preferred to God; you have truly been instructed in divine things; you truly recognize that human things are passing away. And may the Lord preserve you blameless to the end, having no share in the God-estranged communion of those who incline to heresy [the iconoclasts], you who are in all things wholly praiseworthy and wholly prudent.