Letter 222: Theodore Studite, Letter 222; Greek heading: Ἰωσὴφ ἀδελφῷ καὶ ἀρχιεπισκόπῳ.

To write to your Holiness is always something I long to do, and the more so as the distance of my confinement [exile] is the greater; for it brings me near to your honored countenance and works ease in me through the address, just as now too, when I am sorrowfully disposed because of the betrayal of the truth by certain superiors [abbots]. For, as your Sanctity knows, the former garrison [the band that once stood firm with us]—I mean Joseph the marriage-uniter [the priest Joseph who blessed the emperor's adulterous union], the man of Photeinoudion, the man of Herakleia, the man of Medikion, the Mylian, the man of Hypolychnion, the man of Goulaia (but alas for my sin, that the man of Phlouboutes too, caught up out of foolish simplicity)—these, with one accord, having held out a little while, then, urged on under the pretext of dispensation [oikonomia, the principle of accommodation for the sake of the Church] by that Joseph who is wont to bring such things about, turned aside after Satan, having communicated once and twice with the impious; and in this, having been graciously released, they ensnare the unsteadfast in their own fall. But, as it seems, the bishop of Nicaea too lies in the fall of the bishops; for they are recalling those in their exiles to do the like, and, unless the hand of God should anticipate them by giving support, we too who are left over will be destroyed. What then is it? That once again, as it appears, the drama is coming round upon us the lowly, together with a few. Rise up therefore, O man of God, as a chief priest [archpriest, bishop] of Christ the true chief shepherd, and as much as you surpass all others in the highest point of the high priesthood, except for the one who lies in a hidden place. Glorify God, then, in your body and in your spirit; you will by no means be left undisturbed on the island; it may be that you must be tried as of old, so that here too you may be proclaimed a crowned victor [martyr/confessor] more illustrious still. Yes, yes, brother, into what times we have been stored up! But thanks nonetheless to him who has stored us up; and this too is from God, says the Apostle, that it has been granted to us on Christ's behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf. The Lord did not overlook our humiliation in the things that went before, but neither now, I am confident, will he disregard your Honor; rather, as then, so also now shall Christ be magnified in your body, working his mercy beyond all measure for the demonstration of your virtue. Therefore stretch out to me too an intercessory hand, holy one, that I may be made steadfast and saved from the present bitter storm. Stand fast and be propitious, that the tempest may be turned into the gentle breeze of the Holy Spirit. So be it. Saluting the brethren most heartily, I also beg them to pray earnestly for my humility; those who are with me fall down at your feet.