Letter 185

185. To Theodotus, bishop of Beroea

I know that, even if you do not write to us, yet in your heart the memory of us abides. And this I infer, not because I myself am worthy of any favourable remembrance, but because your soul is rich in the abundance of love. Still, as far as you are able, use whatever occasions arise to write to us, so that we too may take better heart on learning your news, and may find occasion ourselves to make our own affairs known to you. For this is the mode of converse for those so far separated in body — the converse by letter — of which let us not deprive one another, so far as circumstances permit. And may the Lord grant us also a meeting face to face, that we may increase our love and multiply our thanksgiving to our Master for his still greater gifts.