Letter 236: Theodore Studite, Letter 236; Greek heading: Ὑπατίῳ τέκνῳ.

I was gladdened by your letter, my child, because you cherish and love the very things, and as many of them, as I love in the Lord, so that I accept both your earlier resolve and your subsequent humility. Be, then, my child, well-pleasing to God together with the brother Lucian; for it is neither holy nor without offense that you should be divided from each other, you who are not only brothers, but also separated from me, the humble one. Is this not enough for me, but after separation there must again be a separation? Alas for the evil! Do not, I beg you. Even if this comes from the devil, who begrudges concord and on this account contrives either enmities or attachments, so as to bring about division from both sides, yet let us, not being ignorant of his designs [cf. 2 Corinthians 2:11], do violence to nature and draw down through humility the mercy of God toward our not being parted from one another; for so may Christ be with you. Who among the apostles is greater than Peter and John? Yet even Peter yields to John in speaking to the people, and even Peter is silenced while Paul speaks [the verb here is literally "is struck/checked"]; for it was not that anyone might seize the primacy, but that what was useful and orderly was kept in view by them. So may you yourselves also be imitators of the saints. I rejoice that through you a word goes forth to those who seek it, but with counsel. Yet do not come into the sight of women apart from necessity, lest perchance we strike or be struck, seeing that we still purpose to heal others; and let your goings forth be out of necessity. The love of women's company is fruitless and dissolving to the soul. Knowing these things, keep yourself safe for me.