Letter 438: Theodore Studite, Letter 438; Greek heading: Βασιλείῳ υἱῷ πνευματικῷ.

We desired, together with the lord Gregory, to behold you here as well, beloved child; but since this has not come to pass, we console the separation by letters, making known to you that we hold you ever upon our lowly heart, loving your salvation and that of the brethren and children who are with you. For to a father the good repute of a son is glory, and the son's honorable conduct is a holy boast. I exhort you, therefore, in the Lord to hold fast not only to your own steadfastness, but also to the care of the brethren, being longed for and longing, being cherished and cherishing; for where there is spiritual love, there is Christ in the midst, even as he promised. As a good superior, lead the lambs of Christ with compassion, with forbearance, yearning over them as over your own members. I know who you are: that you are free from undue attachment, that you are accommodating, yet also that you are scrupulously exacting concerning the commandments of God. Let the soul of all be one through the holding of all things in common; let there be confession [open disclosure of faults], since everything that is brought to light is light, just as the reverse is also true; let there be obedience, under which the robber finds no entrance for deceit; let there be humility, clothing himself in which God became man, thereby fashioning men into gods. O good Basil, guard the deposit entrusted to you, turning away from the wicked things, wrapping yourself in the divine things, set before all the brotherhood as a model of good works; and so he who rejects you rejects God, and he who yields to you yields to God. Remember my lowliness together with the brethren.