Letter 141: Your holiness is made bright by your worthy life, which mirrors on earth the manner of the angels.

To Marcellus, Archimandrite of the Acoemetae, Your holiness is made bright by your worthy life, which mirrors on earth the manner of the angels. But you are made brighter still by your zeal for the apostolic faith. As a keel is to a boat, as a cornerstone is to a house, so the truth of the Gospel is to those who choose a life of devotion. You have fought bravely for this truth when it was attacked -- not as though it needed your protection (for the teaching of our Master Christ possesses its own stability and strength, as the Savior Himself promised: "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" [Matthew 16:18]), but to demonstrate your godly resolve. It is the loving and generous Lord who has seen fit that I too should be dishonored and condemned for the sake of this doctrine. Truly, we have counted dishonor as honor and death as life. We have heard the Apostle's words: "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" [Philippians 1:29]. But the Lord "awoke as one from sleep" [Psalm 78:65] and stopped the mouths of those who uttered blasphemy against God and injustice against me. He has made the tongues of the faithful pour forth their message once again. I, for my part, am gathering the pleasant fruits of rest. Looking at the turmoil of the churches, I grieve; but being freed from cares, I rejoice. I have always admired your piety but have not written until now -- not from any lack of charity, but because I was waiting for a suitable opportunity. Having now met the devout and prudent monks sent by your holiness on other business, I seized the chance to act on my wish. I salute your godliness and ask you, first, to support me with your prayers, and second, to gladden me with a letter -- for by God's grace I have been attacked for the Gospel's sake.

Letter 141