Letter 354: Theodore Studite, Letter 354; Greek heading: Τῷ οἰκονόμῳ τῆς Συμβόλου.

I received the letter of your charity, and I read it, and I recognized your humility, through which God exalts those who love him; and from this you have also been deemed worthy to become a partaker of his sufferings in the present witness [martyria, i.e. confession of the faith]. And if it is the case that the enemies of Christ, defeated by your steadfast endurance, released you, this is no diminishment for you, but a victory. Be well-pleasing, then, to God in whatever place you are settled; for it is a daily martyrdom, the one that is according to conscience, for the one who struggles and purifies himself from the demonic thoughts that rise up against him. May you be preserved for me cheerful, sound, of good repute, praying for me, the sinner, unforgettingly. I greet [literally: I venerate, proskyno] the brethren who are with you.