Letter 61: Chrysostom sends away Theodotus's son because Armenia is too dangerous and asks care for the boy.

A father should not be displeased when his child pursues true philosophy. He should rejoice and do everything to help him reach its summit. He should not even be burdened because the boy is far from his country, home, and your eyes, but should consider him even closer now, when the things of virtue are increasing for him. For these reasons we too are very grateful to you. We marveled that, after giving us such a gift as your son, you thought it necessary also to send hospitality gifts for our honor. We received the honor shown by what you sent, but we sent the things themselves back, not despising your nobility, for how could we despise one who loves us so warmly? Rather, we judged it unnecessary to enjoy things we do not need. We wanted to keep the good lector Theodotus with us and shape him here, but since everything here is filled with murders, confusion, bloodshed, and burnings, with the Isaurians consuming everything by sword and fire, and since we are changing from place to place and moving every day, we thought it necessary to send him away. We gave many instructions to my lord, the most reverend deacon Theodotus, to care for him constantly and take great forethought for him. You too should be zealous that this be done for the boy. You will surely praise our judgment, and you will owe us much gratitude for this advice.

ΞΑʹ. Θεοδότῳ ἀπὸ κονσουλαρίων. Τοῦτο πατὴρ, τὸ μὴ μόνον μὴ δυσχεραίνειν τοῦ παιδὸς τὴν ἀληθῆ φιλοσοφίαν φιλοσοφοῦντος, ἀλλὰ καὶ συνήδεσθαι, καὶ πάντα ποιεῖν, ὅπως εἰς ἄκρον αὐτῆς ἀφίκοιτο· καὶ μηδὲ τῷ πόῤῥωθεν εἶναι καὶ πατρίδος, καὶ οἰκίας, καὶ τῶν σῶν ὀφθαλμῶν, βαρύνεσθαι, ἀλλὰ νῦν μᾶλλον αὐτὸν ἡγεῖσθαι πλησίον ἔχειν, ὅτε αὐτῷ τὰ τῆς ἀρετῆς ἐπιδίδωσι. ∆ιὰ ταῦτά σοι καὶ ἡμεῖς πολλὰς χάριτας ἴσμεν, καὶ τεθαυμάκαμεν πῶς τοιοῦτον ἡμῖν δῶρον δεδωκὼς, τὸν υἱὸν, ἐνόμισας δεῖν σοι καὶ ξενίων εἰς τιμὴν ἡμετέραν. Τὴν μὲν οὖν τιμὴν τὴν ἐκ τῶν πεμφθέντων ἐδρεψάμεθα, αὐτὰ δὲ ἀνταπεστάλκαμεν, οὐχ ὑπερορῶντές σου τῆς εὐγενείας πῶς γὰρ τοῦ οὕτω σφοδρῶς ἡμῶν ἐρῶντος;, ἀλλ' ἡγούμενοι περιττὸν εἶναι τούτων τὴν ἀπόλαυσιν διώκειν, ὧν ἐν χρείᾳ οὐ καθεστήκαμεν. Τὸν μέντοι καλὸν Θεόδοτον τὸν ἀναγνώστην ἐβουλόμεθα μὲν παρ' ἑαυτοῖς κατέχειν καὶ πλάττειν, ἐπειδὴ δὲ πάντα τὰ ἐνταῦθα φόνων, ταραχῆς, αἱμάτων, ἐμπρησμῶν ἐμπέπλησται, τῶν Ἰσαύρων πάντα σιδήρῳ καὶ πυρὶ ἀναλισκόντων, καὶ τόπους ἐκ τόπων ἀμείβομεν, καθ' ἑκάστην μετανιστάμενοι τὴν ἡμέραν, ἀναγκαῖον εἶναι ἐνομίσαμεν ἐκπέμψαι αὐτὸν, πολλὰ παραγγείλαντες τῷ κυρίῳ μου τῷ εὐλαβεστάτῳ διακόνῳ Θεοδότῳ ἐπιμελεῖσθαι αὐτοῦ διηνεκῶς, καὶ πολλὴν αὐτοῦ ποιεῖσθαι πρόνοιαν. Τοῦτο δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς κατορθωθῆναι σπούδασον τῷ παιδὶ, καὶ πάντως ἡμῶν ἐπαινέσῃ τὴν συμβουλὴν, καὶ πολλὴν εἴσῃ τῆς παραινέσεως ταύτης τὴν χάριν ἡμῖν.