276. To John, the representative at Chalcedon. Sent into exile. "I wished to use a deacon," etc. 277. To Irene the Patrician. "A hymn is fitting for you," etc. 278. To Zacharias the Hypatos. "I greet you, man of God," etc. 279. To Athanasius the son. "God knows those who are His." 280. To Timothy the son. "O good Timothy." 281. To Anatolius and Sabbatius the sons. "This is your third letter." 282. To Peter of Nicaea. "I have often intended to write." 283. To Joseph the representative. "The time has come." 284. To Gregoras the layman. "Much and warm service." 285. To Anna the representative, an anchoress for Christ’s sake. "Whatever I heard concerning your honor." 286. To Leo the Patrician. "Ah, you never tire of doing good." 287. To Irene the Patrician, expelled from her home for the sake of the faith. "Even if I do not receive a letter." 288. To Moschos the layman. "Many good things to you." 289. To Euschemon of Lampsacus. "I have learned that your Holiness has been taken by the persecutors." 290. To Hilarion the Archimandrite. "I found the time late for greeting." 291. To the two brothers, the grammarians. "My letter has no power." 292. To Stephen, my cousin. "I have learned that you too have been overcome by the ill-named heretics." 293. To the wax-chandler. "In these days." 294. To Leo the spice-merchant. "I write to you as a man of God." 295. To Politianus the domesticus. "You are truly a friend in deed and in word." 296. To Anna the nun. "And not receiving a copy." 297. To Zacharias the Hypatos. "To write to your God-beloved ease again." 298. To Leo my friend. "I have not forgotten you, O friend." 299. To the Hypatos. "I received yours, brother." 300. Anonymous. "It was not necessary for piety’s sake." 301. To Isidorus of Byzantium. "You always remember me, O good friend." 302. To George the xenodochus. "I learn that you are a lodging-house keeper." 303. To Naucratios the son. "Since God is good, I have been taught." 304. To the same. "I, the humble one, have thanked the Lord upon seeing brother Proterius." 305. To the same. "In the letters concerning brother the Archbishop." 306. To the same. "You are forestalling everyone, my son." 307. To the same. "To him who is; my son, I was impatient at the delay." 308. To the same. "You have done well, my son." 309. To the same. "From your first and second letter." 310. To the same. "Brother Silvanus along with Dorotheus." 311. To Joseph the brother and archbishop. "I thank my God." 312. To Euthymius of Sardis. "I am just now writing to your Beatitude." 313. To Patricius. "Considering myself a debtor." 314. To Athanasius the son. "I write to you now, my son." 315. To Naucratios the son. "And not on the occasion of an opportunity for letters." 316. To the same. "Whenever I learn the boat has arrived, I only write." 317. To the same. "You have watched, my son, to give me a little relief from worry." 318. To the same. "How good the letters are." 319. To the same. "You have taught us sufficiently, O son." 320. To the same. "I was greatly amazed by the message." 321. To the same. "It is a labor, son, in such a storm." 322. To Gregorius the son. "Now is the time to write to you individually." 323. To Theoctistus the son. "Even if I have been separated from you in body." 324. To Dorotheus the son. "It is the time to write to you personally." 325. To Basianus the son. "It is the time for me to write to you individually." 326. To Thaddaeus the son and confessor. "O Thaddaeus, soldier of Christ." [The text is mutilated.] 327. To Letoius the son. "The message is not of long duration." 328. To Bessarion the son. "I have joy because of you, my son." 329. To Titus and Philo the sons. "I am visiting you." 330. To Ignatius the son. "And I was able." 331. To the same. "O my good Ignatius." 332. To Naucratios the son. "I was observing with affection." 333. To the same. "The circumstances are increasing the burdens of the soul." 334. To the same. "How much it has gladdened us."
335. To the same. And I have heard the things that have happened, and I have marveled. 336. To the same. By a single moment of time. 337. To the same. The first region of your letter. 338. To John the monk of the East. Since you have written again. 339. To Nicetas the Mandator. Having understood the things concerning the brothers. 340. To the Logothetissa. The time is grievous. 341. To the Canons. That I have not forgotten. 342. To the Prioress. Your dignity is known to us. 343. To the Hypatissa. Having considered myself a debtor. 344. To Sergius the Hypatos and his brother’s son. You have written to me. 345. To Naucratio the son. Your zeal, my child. 346. To the same. We have already been saved, my child. 347. To the Prioress. Having seen the power of your honored letters. 348. To Theodore the Spatharios. I am just now writing the letter. 349. To Naucratio the son. Know, my child. 350. To the same. All that you have written, child. A 351. To the same. I am currently writing for the fourth time. 352. To the same. You have been quick, child, to visit. 353. To Letoios the son. Through both of your letters. 354. To the same. How I, the humble one, rejoice to receive your message. 355. To Irene the patrician. Both those writing and those not writing. 356. To John the bishop of Sardis. That is how it has been heard by me until now. 357. To Peter the Nicaean. He bids me to write. 358. To Macarios the superior. For me, it is a joy to converse with any other person. B 359. To a friend, a friend. A time for me to write. 360. To Irene and Cela, sisters. That your honored pair has been comforted. 361. To Sergius the Hypatos and his brother’s son. It is not when I write that I remember you. 362. To Gregory the cleric. Hail, soldier of Christ. 363. To Anatolius the son. I rejoice as often as I shall receive [word]. 364. To Symeon the son. It is not when I write that I remember you alone. 365. To Theophilus the son. Brother Theophilus. 366. To Pasarion the son. Having learned that you have departed. 367. To Laurentius the son. What is this great grace? C 368. To Athanasius the superior. This, too, is your letter. 369. To the superior of Panagrus. Love is an unbearable thing. 370. To Parthenius the son. O noble Parthenius, soldier of God. 371. To Hegesimus the son. Well done, child Hegesimus. 372. To Stephanus the son. Grace to you, brother Stephanus. 373. To Ephraim the son. Hail, child Ephraim. 374. To Epiphanius the superior. Beyond my being taught to have your holiness restricted. 375. To Naucratio the son. Those who have rehearsed beforehand hear of grievous things. 376. To Tithoeus the son. Your letter is small, child. 377. To the same. I have no need of many words. D 378. To Domitianus the son. You are always accustomed [to do so], my child. 379. To Euthymius and the remaining brothers. What is this report that has resounded in the ears of my lowliness? 380. To Gennadius the son. Late, indeed, but nevertheless I received your letter. 381. To Thaddaeus the son and confessor. How good your letters are. 382. To Ignatius the son. I have recognized you even now through the letters. 383. To Sergius the notary. Hearing that she keeps herself [safe]. 384. To Cydonius the son. You have become ardent in the struggle of your brothers. 385. To Dorotheus the son. I rejoice and I rejoice with you. 386. To Jacobus the son. Well done, Jacobus, my child. 387. To Theodulus the son. Look where you have wandered, moving from place to place. 388. To Gregoras the layman. Man of God, today the Lord... 389. To Anna the patrician and nun. Your holiness’s letter [is one of] sorrow. 390. To the Spathares. Your house is a house of piety. 391. To Athanasius the son. I have gladly received your letter even now. 392. To Joseph the brother and archbishop. A consolation to my humble soul.
393. To Eucharistus the son. Since you have sought me out. 394. To John the superior. And again I write to your holiness. 395. To Timothy the son. How beautiful is your letter. 396. To Basianus the son. I have learned what has befallen the brothers. 397. To the two sisters, Irene and Cala. I am in pain for your honors. 398. To Antonius the superior. And again I write. 399. To Arcadius the monk. It has been reported to me how excellently you are faring. 400. To the Count. I hear, I hear, O man of God. 401. To Naucratius the son. I was chattering endlessly. 402. To Petrus the son. You have written well. 403. To Patricia. I have not yet come into your sight, I think. 404. To another Patricia. To write now is my lady. 405. To Hilarion the son. Rejoice, child, abbot Hilarion. 406. To Nilus the son. I address you, O child. 407. [Anepigraph]. I learn, O my most blessed Father. 408. To Irene and Cala the sisters. O the calamity! 409. To Eusebius the son. I have received your letter. 410. To Euthymius the son. I have recognized one of your letters. 411. To Theophanes the superior of the Field. Late in time, yet I have learned of your capture. 412. To Callistus the son. I do not forget you. 413. To Cassia the Candidatissa. What you sent me, I have received for the Lord’s sake. 414. To Meletius the son. Even from the letters of brother John. 415. To John the son. And now having written, I have acknowledged [them]. 416. To Joseph the brother and archbishop. For me to write to your holiness. 417. To Naucratius the son. My life and word is yours. 418. To Ignatius the son. I am one who sees from your letters. 419. To Maria Augusta. Now it is time to glorify God. 420. To the Spatharea. Having heard much of your godly manner of life. 421. To the Hypatissa. I have read the letter of your honor. 422. To Macarius the superior. And before reading. 423. To Athanasius the superior. Having been speaking endlessly for a long time now. 424. To Philippus the monk. The things that have befallen you. 425. To Constantinus the curator. Good report of your honor. 426. To Sisoes the bishop. I have praised our God who is good. 427. To Bessarion the son. Gladly have I read your letter. 428. To Hypatius the son. I have rejoiced in your letters. 429. To Bassianus the son. I visit you again by letter. 430. To Evodius and John the sons. And I, having received the letter. 431. To Dorotheus the son. And again I begin to write to you. 432. To another Dorotheus, the son. Well done, Dorotheus, rejoice. 433. To Titus and Philo the sons. O good Titus, and O my good Philo. 434. To Nicolaus the servant. How do you think to receive my letters? 435. To Isidorus the layman. And again I have caused you labor. 436. To the Superior. The brother has reported to me. 437. To John of Chalcedon. Which for a long time I have been longing for. 438. To Euthymius the son. Be healthy, my child. 439. To Hyperechius the son. Well done, well done, my child Hyperechius. 440. To Aphrodisius the son. Rejoice, Aphrodisius, my child. 441. To Ammon the son. Brother Ammon, rejoice in the Lord. 442. To Symeon the son. Rejoice, my child. 443. To Theophylact the presbyter. From those things which your honor has sent. 444. To Bessarion the son. And I have received the copies. 445. To John the son. I have recognized the power of your letters. 446. To Evodius the son. Since I have received from you a defense by letter. 447. To Nicetas the superior. And before the letters. 448. To Antiochus the Silentiarius. Worthy of your piety. 449. To Gregorius. The letters are joined to the epistles. 450. To Lucianus the son who fell. Adam, where are you? It is the voice of God. 451. To Myron. I wished to write to your reverence.
UNPUBLISHED EPISTLES
452. To George. John. Oh, how beautiful is the creation of your soul. 453. To Pardo. John. I send greeting to your reverence. 454. To Gennadius the son. You have written, my beloved child, and I write in return to you. 455. To Cledonius the son. Just now you have arrived, my beloved child. 456. To Eustratius the archbishop. I was already aware of your reverence. 457. To Joseph the brother and archbishop. I have been thought worthy even now to learn of your health. 458. To Anthus the son. Your small epistle. 459. To Ignatius the bishop of Miletus. Because I do not know your place of exile with precision. 460. To John the superior. Two letters from your holiness. 461. To Gregory the son. Just now, I reply to what you wrote. 462. To the Protospatharios. I, being careful and pious. 463. To Basil the archimandrite of Rome. Not even before did I write about any accident. 464. To John the bishop of Monemvasia and Methodius the superior. Your diligence has devised a good plan. 465. To Isaac and Arsenius the monks in the holy city. It is desirable for us who are humble. 466. To Nicetas the superior. Concerning the things that happened to your holiness. 467. To Arsenius the monk. I received the letters of your love. 468. To Sergius the hypatos (son) of Aericos. Long ago I would have written to your nobility. 469. To Naucratius the son. I answer with brief syllables. 470. To the same. If even you have not received my letters. 471. To the same. How long, my child, will you not cease from wearying us with your words? 472. To the same. From struggles to struggles. 473. To Silvanus. Deserving of your piety. 474. To Anna the nun. The turnings of mothers toward their children. 475. To Ignatius the son. As often as I receive your letter. 476. To Theophanius the superior and confessor. A paternal address to a dear child. 477. To Leo the patrician. I am a debtor for paper and ink. 478. To Gregoras the layman. I recognized your letter, O man of God. 479. To Naucratius the son. That you live in the Lord. 480. To Proterius the son. How heavy is your letter, my child. 481. To John the superior. Because I deny our brother. 482. To Nicolaus the slave. That I remember you, my good friend. 483. To Constantinus the layman. God is manifold. 484. To Proterius the son. I was grieved, my beloved child. 485. To Zacharias the hypatos. I write again. 486. To the Oikonomos. I have heard about your reverence. 487. To Timotheus the son. What I have heard. 488. To Ignatius the son. You have written, my beloved child. 489. To Maria Augusta. I have perused the epistle once more. 490. To Evodius and John the sons. I rejoiced, my children, at the address of both. 491. To Anatolius the son. The slowness of your letters. 492. To John of Chalcedon. As a father I have considered meeting you, my least child. 493. To Anna the superior. Because you have written to me, rightly so. 494. To John the superior. He himself does not write. 495. To Nicetas the superior of Mo(e). I am fond of receiving a copy. 496. To John the superior. I gladly received your holy epistle. 497. To John the superior. Why it is delayed to write. 498. To Basil the monk. How I learned that he too was arrested. 499. To Gennadius the son. I have understood what you have written, my child. 500. To Callistus the son. Your letter (is written) in brief syllables. 501. To Cledonius the son. You praise me, O child. 502. To Meletius the son. From the time I learned that the wretched Gregory had been deceived. 503. To Jacobus the son. You have written this to me. 504. To Euprepianus the son. I, my child. 505. To the Spatharia Flavii. In a time of temptation. 506. To Maria the nun. A good name has reached me. 507. To Athanasius the son. I rejoice, my child, receiving your letter. 508. To Anthus the son. And writing to you, my child.
509. To Eucharistus the son. And I have great need to write to you. 510. To Leo. You have done well, spiritual child. 511. To Constantine. What is the cause of your writing to me? 512. To the Presbyter. In winter, if one sees a rose. 513. To Theodulus the son. I have received [them] gladly, my child, receiving your letters. 514. To Symeon the son. I have just arrived at writing to you. 515. To Euthymius the son. Rejoice in the Lord. 516. To Ephraem the son. Grace be unto you from the Lord. 517. To Aphrodisius the son. Well done, my child. 518. To Hyperechius the son. Well done, well done, Hyperechius. 519. To Amon the son. Good Amon, rejoice. 520. To Stephanus the son. Rejoice, Stephanus my child. 521. To Symeon the son. Rejoice, Symeon my child. 522. To Parthenius the son. O good Parthenius, rejoice. 523. To Hegesimus the son. Grace be unto you from God, Hegesimus. 524. To Dorotheus the son. May you be blessed by the Lord. 525. To Petrus the son. You do not cease. 526. To the Oeconomus of the council. I have received the letter. 527. To Joseph the brother and archbishop. For I heard your voice. 528. To Letoeus the son. With the intention of completing the restoration. 529. To Theodulus the son. According to what God has decreed to happen. 530. To Naucratius the son. Because you were worried, even if not entirely. 531. To Timotheus the son. Enduring, endure the Lord. 532. To Basilius the monk. Who is this star rising from the west? 533. To Macarius the superior. The time of silence is sufficient. 534. To Constantine the superior. I add to the previous letter. 535. To Michael of Synada. I learned long ago that you have removed the pillar and ground of the truth from the previous confinement. 536. To Tithoes the son. Well and fittingly, brother, your letter. 537. To Silvanus the son. I gave thanks to my God. 538. To Evodius and Joannes the sons. A small syllable. 539. To Symeon the son. Since I have read your letter. 540. To Constantine the layman. The blessing of the Lord be upon you. 541. To Casia. How your modesty has spoken to us again. 542. To Macarius the superior. Very desirous to learn. 543. To Irene the patrician. Why am I causing trouble? 544. To Paulus the son. I have read your letter. 545. To Letoeus the son. I rejoice hearing your voice. 546. To the Canons. Since you do not give up loving to do good. 547. To Epiphanius the son. Again I have heard your voice. 548. To the same. Your letter is a marvel to me.
IV. MISCELLANEA. OF OUR HOLY FATHER THEODORE THE STUDITE. FOUR CHAPTERS.
A I. The ascetic life is nothing else but the restraint of the passions, vigilance over thoughts, and a continuous struggle against invisible enemies; and [it is] to keep the soul pure from the sordid thoughts that defile us. For when we dwell on such things in our minds, concupiscence is kindled like fire. But by standing far off from the passions, we may repel the tempter at the very first assault.
II. We have need of much vigilance and attention, and of preparation of heart, to bridle our mind, so that it may not be carried away to things which are not fitting, nor wander into vain notions, nor paint for itself wicked images, nor conceive desires that incite to sin, from which we derive no benefit; but on the contrary, we are pained and broken, bringing forth no useful fruit. One rest, therefore, and one pleasure there is: to purify the soul and to set before ourselves the aim toward which we may look, the perfect extinction of the passions. B
III. Let us stand, therefore, according to the perpetual testimony that conscience provides. Let us not bow the knee to Baal, brothers, nor let us yield while we are being struck by thoughts. Rather, let us extinguish the fiery darts of the wicked one with tears, with attention, with prayer, with compunction, and with other afflictions of the body. For our adversary, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour, whom he may make his prey by hunting, whether in part or in whole. For he is not content even when he has taken a part, but he proceeds always, advancing to the worse, until he accomplishes the sin of death. For example, he tries first to make us receive his impulse with patient connivance; C then, we allow some wicked counsel to be whispered by him into our heart. When he has obtained this, then, acting by wondrous ways...