Letter 218: Theodore Studite, Letter 218; Greek heading: Μελετίῳ τέκνῳ.

Both from the letter of brother John earlier, and now from your own letter, child Meletius, I have praised my good God for your return and your confession. And thanks be to the Lord, that your good submission was not in vain at the beginning and for however long it lasted; for I confess and bear witness on your behalf that you suffered out of zeal, but not according to true knowledge, just as the others also did. For this reason, relying on your own righteousness and good sense, you broke away from the God-inspired and saving submission, wandering and treading on emptiness into things unattainable; and the occasion and the events showed this, and may they show it. But, having bid these matters farewell, I shall once again bring my discourse to a close in thanksgiving. I rejoiced, my beloved child, in receiving you back through your letter, and I rejoice over you more than over those who have not gone astray. I am yours, father though a sinner, and I will lay down my lowly soul on your behalf. All things are forgiven you. From this point on let us stand firm, let us serve the Lord in submission, fleeing the self-pleasing and deceiving demon; for in this way may we be saved in the Lord. It makes no difference to me whether you remain in those parts there until the peace of the Church of God; only may you be kept unharmed, praying always concerning my lowliness.