Letter 143: I have never met your piety in person, and we have never exchanged letters.

To Andrew, Monk of Constantinople, I have never met your piety in person, and we have never exchanged letters. Yet I have become warmly attached to you. What has created this affection and keeps it burning is the unanimous report brought by those who have tasted your honey. Everyone speaks admiringly of the orthodoxy of your faith, the brightness of your life, the steadfastness of your character, the warmth and sweetness of your company, and all the other marks of one truly nurtured in the love of wisdom. For all these reasons I am drawn to your godliness, and my longing has prompted me to begin a correspondence. But, my dear sir, grant me what I desire as soon as possible: write to me. When friends are separated, nothing brings more comfort than letters. You will be writing to no man of heterodox opinions, but to one raised in apostolic teaching -- a preacher not of a "quaternity" but of the Trinity. For I see little real difference between the impiety of those who dare to merge the two natures of the Only-begotten into one [the Monophysites] and those who would divide our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, God the Word made man, into two sons -- if indeed such people exist. I cannot believe they do. Arians, Eunomians, and Apollinarians have always shamelessly fabricated this slander against the Church. Careful students can easily see that our celebrated Fathers, the lights of the churches, suffered this same accusation from the enemies of truth -- the very charge now leveled against me by the most excellent champions of the newfangled heresy. Our wise Lord has laid bare their impiety, for He could not endure to let His long-suffering confirm their unholy teaching. Be assured, then, that you will be writing to someone who shares your convictions -- and you can easily verify this from my many published writings. Write to me, and by God's will your letter will kindle further affection. And before you write, give me the help of your prayers. Beseech our good Lord to guide my feet on the right road, that I may travel the rest of my journey according to His laws. You, who have won the right of access through your blameless life, will easily persuade the One who is eager to give us His good gifts.

Letter 143