Letter 348: Theodore Studite, Letter 348; Greek heading: Στεφάνῳ τέκνῳ.

Greetings, Stephen, my most honored child; may grace, mercy, and peace from God be multiplied to you. Even if I have been slow to visit, the brethren will report the reason; but I, even when not writing, hold you always in my heart. Be a man, therefore, still further, and be strong in the Lord, bearing nobly the present sorrows for the sake of the good things to come. Day by day proceed cheerfully on the straight path of God; pursue the passions [i.e. drive out the passions, the disordered impulses combated in monastic asceticism], cleanse the heart, be well-pleasing to God, to whom you have dedicated yourself, for whose sake you were scourged, on whose behalf is also the exile. He himself, then, will repay you a recompense, his Kingdom, if you endure for him until the end. Pray for us. The brother who is with me sends greetings. The Lord be with you.