Letter 349: Theodore Studite, Letter 349; Greek heading: Συμεὼν τέκνῳ.

Greetings, Symeon my child. Behold, here is a word for you once more; and if it is slow in coming, the brothers will explain why. How are you, how do you fare? Take heed, child: build yourself up in the work of God which has been granted to you by him, in good conduct, in endurance, in long-suffering, in stillness within your confinement [the place of restriction to which Symeon, like Theodore and his monks, was banished under the second iconoclast persecution]. For I heard that you are making excursions, and I was grieved, since this is neither the will of God nor profitable for your soul. Christ called you to be his witness [literally, to martyrdom for him], not to heal bodies, but to sit still and to cleanse yourself from every evil, not to roam about and chase after fantasies. Do not be grieved that I admonish you, but guard yourself, my child, from now on, and be pleasing to God, and pray for me the sinner. The brother Nicholas greets you. The Lord be with you.