Letter 263: Theodore Studite, Letter 263; Greek heading: Κληδονίῳ τέκνῳ.

Just now I have managed to write back to you in reply, beloved child. I rejoice, then, that you are in good health; but as for your being left alone, I am not glad of it, even though it is against your will, since brother Neilos has been arrested. Make haste, therefore, I beg you, to be together with one of the brethren, and with one who, if it is possible, is prudent; for you know that the enemy is set against everyone, and there is need of safety for the soul. But as for going off to Abbot Leontios, what on earth came over you to do so? If you had known him to have kept himself clear of the heresy [the iconoclast denial of the veneration of holy images], it would have been well; for this is what I too was eager for, just as I also gave instructions to the blessed Theodoulos. But since he has been led away together with the heretics through subscription and communion [signing the iconoclast formula and sharing in their eucharist], on account of which that blessed man also withdrew from him, your going off to him is nothing other than to become like him and to lose everything, both your submission [monastic obedience] and your confession of Christ. Stand fast, my child, in the strength of the truth, not moving from place to place at random, without necessity. Surely the God who said, "I will not fail you, neither will I forsake you" [Hebrews 13:5], will not overlook you while you walk in a true heart, but will shelter and nourish you and provide for you in every way; only that this is a time of affliction and there is need of endurance. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of Christ [cf. Matthew 5:10]; let this gladden you and lighten what is painful. But your brother according to the flesh, being flesh, wishes you to become flesh. Why do you write such things to me? Look upon your brothers according to the spirit who are contending in the struggle, and press on to emulate them, that you may become a wearer of the crown. May God watch over you, my child, as you pray for me, the sinner.