Letter 162: Theodore Studite, Letter 162; Greek heading: Σεργίῳ ὑπάτῳ καὶ ἐξαδέλφῳ.

It is not only when I write that I then call your love to mind, my most genuine kindred blood [literally, blood relation], but at all times, taking you up in my sinful prayer, I do not speak falsely; for I love you not only as a near kinsman, but also as one of one mind with me and, above every relation, as one made intimate with my lowliness, and indeed also as a lover of common converse [a fond conversation-companion], as you yourself are able to judge from your own case, since each man in some way possesses within himself a mirror of his love toward his neighbor. The present time has separated us, as you know; but just as I pray that you may be kept unharmed and without share in the Christ-fighting heresy [iconoclasm, which Theodore regards as warfare against Christ], so do you also pray over me, dearest one, that I, sinful as I am in all things, may be preserved unscathed. And how do the affairs concerning Byzantis [Constantinople] appear to you? Has an orthodox seed been left behind, or have all turned aside and together become worthless [cf. Psalm 14:3]? Does anyone groan over the capture, or is there, as in the days of Noah, the senseless indifference of those whom the heavenly water flooded over? And do at least those of the Nazirites [the consecrated; here the monks vowed to God] who have been taken captive weep, or do they, as though they had suffered nothing, swim in the waves of the heresy? And what of our man, the Maximinite [a person or community associated with a place/monastery called Maximine]? Instruct me, you who guard the deposit of the faith inviolate, presenting this faith pure to God, if nothing else.