Letter 257: Theodore Studite, Letter 257; Greek heading: Γρηγορίῳ.

The sending of letters comes in yoked pairs; but you, O best of friends - and I would add, mightiest of the pious - with some letters you gladdened us, and most of all over matters so many and so great, while of others you begrudged to share, though even these could have come forth abundantly out of the innermost treasuries of your heart. Therefore, so that we may not appear to be unequally yoked, let us add the second letters to the first. Do you see what manner of philosophy I practice toward you in a season of philosophy? For philosophy is to flee the ruin of the heresy [the iconoclast denial of the veneration of holy images] - from which may God preserve you without share, rewarding you in return for the things by which you have nourished us, the lowly, with incorruptible goods.