Letter 289: Theodore Studite, Letter 289; Greek heading: Ἄννῃ μοναζούσῃ.

The turnings-away of mothers from their children are somehow only for a season; for, drawn at once toward themselves by nature, they turn the children back to themselves again, doubling their affection and presenting to them in all things the things after their own heart. What, then, does my preamble mean to make plain? That toward us also, the lowly, Your Reverence, having been a little provoked, again did not endure to refrain from showing, in the Lord, the bowels of compassion of her accustomed serenity. For this reason, in a manner befitting a mother, she both brought gifts, and clothed, and made amends, doubling the compassion of her mercy. Thanks, therefore, be to God, who through grief has begotten joy even in us sinners; for who is it, he says, that gladdens me, if not the one who is grieved on my account [cf. 2 Corinthians 2:2] (even if we are not worthy of the word)? May you be granted to me for a long time, both grieving and gladdening, and indeed also praying for my salvation, as I too do ever concerning your holiness.