Letter 21: Theodore Studite, Letter 21; Greek heading: Συμεὼν μονάζοντι.

We have learned, O father, even through what has gone before, what manner of man and how great you have been toward our lowliness, smoothing out and setting in good order all things toward what is profitable in every one of the grievous events that have befallen us. And we have perceived now too that you have become deeply grieved, on account of the brother's report, in the matters that confront you. But what are we to suffer? For the commandment of God lies before us, and the canons of the fathers, which bar us from such communion. May your swift inclination reach here, and your sincere disposition toward God and toward us sinners, so that you may turn aside this temptation as one might turn aside a great wave, and calm the disturbance of our pious masters [the imperial rulers]. For our argument concerning non-communion is not against them, nor is the cause of the dispute against them (but rather honor and veneration [proskynesis, the bowing reverence due to rulers], friendship and intercession, as is owed); it is against the one who unlawfully crowned the man who committed adultery, contrary to the word of the Lord; against the one who dared to become the servant and confirmer of so great an evil before all the world, the man whom Christ himself deposed, since he fell under two canons (and indeed under others as well). According to the first: that not even to be feasted at the wedding of a man entering a second marriage is the presbyter permitted (for the canon did not even dare to write 'at an adulterer's' wedding) - how much more, then, to perform the crowning? According to the second: that one who has fallen into some fault and on that account has been separated [excommunicated], if he does not within a year contend for his own restoration, his voice may no longer be admitted; but this man, having overstepped nine years, leapt into the church. If, then, this man is without blame, much more is the one who committed adultery; but if that one is guilty of the sin, who doubts concerning the one who joined them together and blasphemed against the Holy Spirit, that he is not more accursed and more profane? These are the things, holy father, that frighten and contract our heart. And on account of these things, so as not to commune with him and with the patriarch who preceded [Tarasios's successor, that is, Nikephoros, who had communed with the priest Joseph], when he was giving communion to the one who committed adultery, I for my part was shut out from the place where you sit, while the abbot and the rest were banished to Thessalonica. But God again gathered us together by your prayers; and not even so did we unite with the patriarch as it merely happened, except that he confessed that we had acted rightly. If, then, when the adultery was in force and the transgression of the canons, we did not shrink back, by the power of God, how then now, when the empire is pious, shall we shrink back for the sake of one presbyter and betray the truth, endangering our souls? By no means; rather, all things are bearable to us, even unto death, rather than to share in that man's communion and in that of those who concelebrate with him, until he cease from the sacred ministry, just as in the case of the former [patriarch]. Let him be a steward [oikonomos, a church administrator]; why does he also minister unworthily? Has there been a failing of presbyters? But if it seems nothing to those who concelebrate with him, they shall answer for what they do. Let them spare our lowliness, who have borne it patiently and have said nothing up to the present, but have exercised forbearance [oikonomia, prudent dispensation] in these two years since he entered, so that in this way we might pass through it more peaceably - our good masters, mediators and judges of what is just, lovers of those who speak openly in truth, as their own honored mouth often proclaims. Let the priests bear it in a priestly manner; let them either persuade or be persuaded. But if there is nothing of the sort, but even our mere muttering is not to be endured, God looks on, than whom none is greater, whose fear alone is fearful, and the tribunal there, before which we shall all stand to be called to account in all things. But we beg your goodness, and as though groveling at your honored footsteps we beseech and implore you to show mercy with us and to work a common benefit both for our pious emperors themselves and for the most holy patriarch and for the whole church - not only for the one among us, but also for that throughout the whole inhabited world - so that the one man may cease, to the glory of God, and his church not be disturbed. But if not, then at least the second thing: that we be allowed to remain in the same condition, just as in these ten years. For as for the rest, even if there be ten thousand hierarchs and priests and abbots who commune with him, it is no marvel; since they themselves both joined with the one who committed adultery and no one said anything. These things God, through us - even if it is a bold thing to say - both exhorts and addresses to you, and as you command.