Letter 442: Theodore Studite, Letter 442; Greek heading: Πέτρῳ Νικαίασ.

This is the counsel from us in response to the inquiry of the lord abbot: that until the feast of the Holy Apostles all should be released from the penalty [epitimion, the canonical penance imposed for a fault], partaking of the holy things [the sacraments]; the priests, however, are not to perform the functions of the priesthood until the coming of an orthodox synod, in which there will be every release and every gladness. But in common let all, as common monks, whether ordained or not, bless and be blessed, pray and receive prayers. And since it is necessary that the divine liturgy also be celebrated, that there may be ordained both a presbyter and a deacon, filling the place of those who are barred [from ministering], let no envy, but thanksgiving, be acknowledged toward them, since we have been ordered in apostolic fashion to bear one another's burdens [Galatians 6:2]—this being already agreed beforehand by all: that if God should permit, according to his inscrutable judgments of righteousness, a persecution to be kindled again, they will choose all things, even unto death, rather than betray the truth. Thus we, the lowly ones, think, since we answer this also to all; but as it seems good to your fatherly Holiness, that would in every case be the better-judged course.