Letter 250: Theodore Studite, Letter 250; Greek heading: Συμεὼν τέκνῳ.

Greetings, my child Symeon, who have been called by grace to the confession of Christ. See how Christ was not ashamed of you on account of your former manner of life, but, taking good pleasure, was well pleased that you should be scourged for his sake, mocked, imprisoned, and then also banished together with your brethren who share your way of life. What will you render to the Lord? What worthy offering will you bring? What else than to keep your grace inviolate through long-suffering and perfect faith? Therefore be watchful, be sober against the wiles of the devil, lest somewhere he slip in, lest somewhere he trip you up. Flee from the sight of women; sit still, not being moved about. And I say this because I have heard that, for the sake of practicing healing, you are absenting yourself from your cell. This is not such a season, my child, but a season of martyrdom. Do you wish to heal? Heal those who are sick in soul through the word; and if also in body, provided it is easy for you while remaining seated and not moving from place to place, then let it be among pious men, but certainly not women. Loving you, I put you in remembrance. Let your concern and your meditation always be in the law of the Most High, together with handiwork; for idleness is the mother of sin. Look also yet again for blows for Christ's sake, and perhaps even for that death which is renowned in song, if indeed he should so far count you worthy. Pray also for me the sinner, that I may be saved in all things. The brethren who are with me greet you. May the Lord preserve you unharmed in all things; the grace be with you. Amen.