Letter 378: Theodore Studite, Letter 378; Greek heading: Τῷ αὐτῷ.

Once again I have heard your voice, beloved child, and it seemed to me that I saw you with my own eyes and embraced you. Do you grieve that you have been left to be without bonds [i.e. not imprisoned]? Thanks be to the Lord who has so ordered things by his dispensation [oikonomia: God's providential governance]; but you, by your resolve, are a prisoner, and by your confession blessed. Yet you do not know what the morrow will bring forth. Be therefore prepared, and let matters concerning you be led wherever is pleasing to God; in everything there is need of watchfulness, for everywhere the persecutor is the enemy. Hold fast, my child, to your salvation wherever you may be, praying for your sinful father, that you may set out toward the western regions, when the brethren returned, fulfilling for me through prayer most fully the things pleasing to God and necessary, that is, carrying off the letters as well. But when I learned what things have been done there by the one who formerly presided [as bishop], I was beside myself and ended in lamentation; and how is it that you gave no sign concerning Philagrius, whose case presses upon my humble soul?