Letter 504: Theodore Studite, Letter 504; Greek heading: Δημητρίῳ ὑπάτῳ.

What other consolation could the body's absence find than the joining together that comes through a letter? By this means, therefore, O best of friends, we who are lowly are at present joined to your love, embracing you in the spirit and recognizing that absence has not severed our love but rather all the more calls it forth, thirsting for affection, just as those who are parched run to the springs of waters. But so much for the showing forth of love. As to how you yourself are faring in the office entrusted to you by the emperors, we do not know; rather, we are anxious, since we also learn that another office has been laid upon you in addition to the former one, not by your own wish but at the command of the sovereign [the reigning emperor], and that, being more distant than the former, it borders upon the barbarians. On which account your honored soul has been seized with dread, as they say, being neither willing nor equipped to bear a sword and to make war and to be warred upon. All these things have moved us also to make supplications and prayers on your behalf, that you may be kept unharmed in both offices; and indeed we believe that you are being preserved safe, having before your eyes the fear of God and the help that is summoned from thence. For where God is the helper, there may every evil be put away; for an angel of the Lord, it says, shall encamp round about those who fear him, and shall deliver them [Psalm 34:7]. Be such, then, you also, our longed-for master, through your piety and good works, guarded by the angel who is the keeper of your life. Be watchful in prayers, be sober in supplications, render just judgment, show a kindly eye to the poor man, become a defender of those who are wronged, exercising moderation in both food and drink; for intemperance is the mother of evils. If others sport and laugh, my lord, hear the Lord of all who says: Woe to you who laugh, for you shall weep [Luke 6:25]. If others speak shamefully, do you, I beseech you, stop up your ears; for words are the road that leads to deeds. If others fill their right hands with bribes, my God-loving one, may you be content with your wages, to speak in the manner of the Gospel [Luke 3:14], with what is customarily given to those in office. If others are impious, do you be pious, holding yourself aloof, so far as is possible, from reckless men; for you know that this life, after the manner of a dream, sends on its way those who serve it. And what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world, but suffer the loss of his own soul [Mark 8:36]? Far be it that we should think this concerning your honored self, who possess the good as something inborn and who love to serve God, who brought you from non-being into being and who gives you life itself and movement and breath. So that you may guard the deposit which he entrusted to you through the Holy Spirit, namely the faith and right action, and may render it back to him intact at the time of your departure, hearing from him: Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will set you over many; enter into the joy of your Lord [Matthew 25:21]. And may it be granted to you to hearken to this voice and to be saved with your whole household in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.