Letter 247: Theodore Studite, Letter 247; Greek heading: Ὑπερεχίῳ τέκνῳ.

Well done, well done, Hyperechios my child! You have been counted worthy to carry off a noble prize on behalf of Christ. You were flogged, you were imprisoned, you were exiled, you were reckoned among the confessors of Christ. From where has this grace come to you, this heavenly gift, that you should see your own blood poured out for the sake of Christ and your flesh torn open by the scourges? You have washed away your sins; you have sanctified yourself. See to it, my brother, that you never forget the benefit, that you never drowse away from God. Keep watch over your salvation, I beg you, unto endurance to the end; for it is not the beginning alone, but also the bringing to completion, that is blessed. You have borne the pains of blows; bear also, my child, the toils of ascetic discipline, purging evil thoughts from your heart, those out of which a man is led forward into the act of sin. Fearful is God, a fire that consumes those who despise him [cf. Hebrews 12:29]; let us flee from forwardness [parrhesia: here boldness or license], the door of lawlessness, and let your sitting-place [kathisma: a monk's cell or seat] be free of scandal and holy. You have a psalm, you have an ode, you have a prayer; have reading too, have tears, ever reckon up death, the day of judgment, when all things shall stand naked and laid bare. What fear there will be in that place, and what trembling, for a sinner such as I, and what great joy and exultation for the righteous! Yes, my child, let us guard ourselves with all watchfulness, so that we may present our deposit [parathēkē: that which is entrusted], that is, the soul, to God whole and pure; for even if it is fouled through crooked thoughts, yet it is cleansed again through the tears of repentance. Pray for me the sinner, that I may be saved in all things. Your brothers who are with me greet you. Grace be with you. Amen.