Letter 327: Theodore Studite, Letter 327; Greek heading: Μελετίῳ τέκνῳ.

From the moment I learned that the wretched Gregory had been deceived through his impious signature [subscription to the iconoclast position], I was anxious, my child, as to how matters stood with you; and when I received your letter announcing your separation from him, I groaned indeed over that man, how he had perished and how both of them had only feigned to be God-fearing (for surely Basil too holds the same opinions), but I gave thanks to my God for your deliverance, that the dragon did not swallow you, but that you were drawn up, as from a sea-monster, out of the destructive heresy [hairesis]. Remain, then, my beloved child, just as you were delivered, drawing toward yourself others also of the brethren who have been led away in ignorance (or rather in disobedience) from me, the lowly one, but, to speak the truth, from God. For he who is irrationally torn away from his own shepherd, how is he not being severed from the truth? And the truth is God, who may He guard and strengthen you. And if it should be His good pleasure that you be seized by the enemies of Christ, may He grant power and might to endure all things, even unto blood, of the sufferings undertaken for His sake.