Letter 334: Theodore Studite, Letter 334; Greek heading: Ἀθανασίῳ τέκνῳ.

I rejoice, child, on receiving the letter of your gracious self, for from it I take pleasure not only in hearing your voice, but I am also gladdened to behold the progress of your dictation. Make use, therefore, of writing, since it is profitable in both respects; for just as wells, when drawn from, are widened by their streams, so too is the tongue, when it labors at composing letters. As for me, I am aware of nothing apt in myself, even if you should set forth ever more praises in my regard; but you make me shrink back as much as you would praise me, since I perceive how things stand with me. Yet if anything in what is said by us should appear to you to your benefit, the matter must be ascribed to God, from whom, through you, there is both light in the blind man and reason in the irrational creature [self-deprecation: Theodore casts himself as the 'blind' and 'irrational' one made fruitful only by God]-some small and impoverished thing; which must not be made to shrink back, brother, but must be worked at, both through fear of the threat and in hope of acceptance. But that you wander about here and there, exchanging place for place to spare yourself from your pursuers-how is this not a matter of the times, a thing both full of suffering and groaning? Yet because it is for Christ's sake, it is joyful and a means of accomplishment. May the Lord do good to the noble spatharios [a court official and military rank], who hosts and tends you for Christ's sake; for he too has shown himself kindly to me in many things. I have now written to the archbishop, and that I did not do so earlier-as you supposed-was not because I had received any requital of what was advanced before; for who in all the world is more to be honored than that man in all things, as is fitting and just? But you have seen the trickery of the demon, that the letters were lost; yet glory to God, who did not allow the writings to be carried out to those in power. My spiritual father has fallen asleep [died], as you have indicated. But read the letter of the archbishop, and from it you will know how much I groaned and spoke also concerning other persons. May he too be at rest, the general who shared my name, and for this very reason, that he made mention of me, the unworthy one, among his last words. How praiseworthy you are, summoned by such men and for such purposes; may you appear yet more holy and more to be chosen by many, because you serve the one and only Lord of all; cleaving very closely to him, you will the more be exalted and honored, if indeed he speaks truly who says, "But I will glorify those who glorify me, and he who despises me shall be dishonored." But why do you draw out so great a fast, brother, prolonging it to a third day? You do well, bringing the flesh into servitude and pressing it down; but keep a measure that you are able to carry through with the health of the body, and this is best. For the rest, pray concerning me, the lowly one, that I may be saved. He who is with me sends greeting. I salute those who are with you.