Letter 44: Theodore Studite, Letter 44; Greek heading: Σεργίῳ ὑπάτῳ.

You yourself, as I learn, are exchanging one office for another in succession under the Caesar below [the earthly emperor], and against your own inclination, my beloved and most honored one; but I, the lowly one, do not cease to pray to the King who is above and over all that you may, through piety, be His friend and one of His own household. For it is better to be ranked even at the very lowest and last place among the heavenly things than at the very first place among the earthly. And I believe, knowing your solicitude for your salvation, that you suffer no loss whatever to your soul, but rather gain something extra from your dignity, since there are not a few ways toward profit. For to the poor man who pays tribute there has been sufficient not only a remission of taxes, but also a kindly look from the one who collects the imperial monies, and a gentle voice, and a word of greeting. And I do not yet speak of the loosing of the bond of injustice, and all the other things which it is easy for the ruler to do for the one who is ruled. Do not, therefore, in the matters where you are able to do good to yourself through kindness toward others, be neglectful, my lord; but as one who is prudent and who knows that a little later we shall depart from this life, carrying away nothing else than our deeds, let us cling to these and treasure up these clearly, the deeds which are to become for us the provision for eternal life and for the enjoyment of unspeakable good things. Yes, I entreat you, my own blood, my own object of longing, the offshoot of a root truly good, of that Anna, who is to me most venerable and most beloved indeed, and who is praised by all who knew her for her dignity, my truly blessed mother on both sides.