Letter 514: Theodore Studite, Letter 514; Greek heading: Μαρίᾳ βασιλίσσῃ.

What sort of people are we, and who are we, lowly as we are, that we should be thought worthy of a defense [apologia] for the distressing things that have befallen, and beyond that should be honored exceedingly with praises by your most honorable Lordship? Nevertheless, since we have received your piety's gracious condescension, which has taught the truth of the matter (for indeed it was necessary) and has freed the many from a false-spoken supposition such as is wont to slip in unawares in cases of this kind. And this is no wonder; for a report, as it streams along, is scattered abroad among many, and does not hold the truth entire in each particular. But we, what words shall we employ, as we attempt to tend the ache of your much-suffering heart? Or with what gentler touches might we be able to smooth what is rough in your soul? You have borne, then, that the account may proceed for us from the beginning, the unjust separation from your yoke-fellow [husband], being severed together also from the imperial power, on account of which the world has been shaken. A pitiable spectacle: the adulteress wearing the purple and the empress clad in mourning black, the slave-woman lording it and the mistress reduced to servitude. And, that we may pass over the rest, since you who suffered it know it better than we who are unacquainted with it, you have borne exile for the sake of truth, cut off from your own true offspring. And here too both the toil is great and the hymn of praise is yours in full measure, both before God and before all the pious. The present is a third stroke, concerning which we have been bidden to point out what is fitting. Now others, then, will say other things: that a mother should follow her daughter, since this too, they say, one may see happening among the very beasts by a natural drawing; but we who are sinners say what belongs to the Master [Christ]: 'Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?' [Matthew 12:48]; and again: 'If anyone comes to me and does not hate his daughter, he is not worthy of me' [cf. Luke 14:26]. What is the conclusion that follows? That your God-fearing self should remain at home, while the Augusta [the reigning empress; here, the daughter] holds the palace; in regard to which the evangelical sword has been shown bringing in its cleaving cut [cf. Matthew 10:34]. These things, pardon us, mistress, we have made bold to write to you with much attentiveness and constriction of heart, as though conversing into your ear, praying on behalf of both of you for the better things and those that pertain to salvation, both now and for the time to come.