Letter 324: Theodore Studite, Letter 324; Greek heading: Γενναδίῳ τέκνῳ.

What you have written, my child, I have understood, and the tokens of trust and longing that you have written; but we are not as you suppose and say, rather sinners and lacking in light. Nevertheless, may your faith save you wherever you may be, both from the murderous heresy [iconoclasm, which Theodore regards as a heresy] and from every sinful activity. You rightly desire to be delivered from the corrupting world, and deliverance is the flight from sin, the practice of which is eternal death, while abstinence from it is everlasting life. He who lives in this way fears nothing, is frightened of no one. Thus do I pray that you may live out your life; and you likewise, hold fast the same prayer concerning me, my beloved son.