Letter 315: Theodore Studite, Letter 315; Greek heading: Τιμοθέῳ τέκνῳ.

As is your soul, my beloved child, such also is your letter: full of courage, of good cheer, of eagerness, of love for God, of love for the martyrs. For words are indeed images [eikones, the same word used of holy icons] of the soul, and out of the abundance of the heart each person brings forth his utterances; so that we too, on hearing your words, have been strengthened and made still more manful and urged on toward the contest. And brother Hadrian, by his account, astonished me yet more, when he reported your boldness and steadfastness and free outspokenness, and indeed your skill in argument against those who incline to the heresy. From where have these qualities come to you? Is it not from the good disposition that went before, and from the divine provision through which you bore what came earlier and have stood firm in the hope of the glory of God, preparing yourself even unto death? Rejoice, be glad; you will be strong, with God, to bear all things, having bound upon yourself the victor's crown of the contest. But pray also for me, brother, that I may follow along with you and with anyone else like you. And they are many enough by the grace of Christ; for just as the stadium is bright and conspicuous, so too the martyrs are very many. For do not suppose the present things to be anything other than a denial of Christ on the part of those who persecute, and a witness [martyria] to Christ on the part of those who bear away the prizes of the contest; and this is plain. For just as in the image [eikon] of the cross the life-giving Cross is both confessed and denied, so likewise in the image of Christ the very same thing holds without any difference, even if the world has been blinded and, denying Christ, makes sport of the insult because of the long-suffering of him who is insulted. And what wonder is it, if he endures, seeking the conversion of those who outrage him? Did not the soldiers set upon his head a crown of thorns? Did they not also clothe him in a purple robe, they who said, "Hail, King of the Jews," and gave him blows? And he bore all things, being mocked, derided, and suffering whatever else he suffered upon the cross. Such are the things he now suffers through his image and in his image, since the archetype is made manifest in the image, as has been said by the saints. But may there be mercy quickly upon his Church, strengthening those who confess. I hear that you are drawing out a fast, and I rejoice indeed; but I counsel you to eat each day after the evening offices, for this is the royal road, and this is the praiseworthy self-restraint in the time of witness [martyria].