173 (302). To the Canoness Theodora
LETTERS
173. To the Canoness Theodora 1 The fact that we are not sure of our letters being placed in the hands of your Charity, but through the wickedness of those serving as carriers they may be read first countless others, makes us hesitant about writing, especially now, when affairs everywhere are in such confusion. Therefore, I am waiting to be in some manner censured and to have the letters forcefully demanded, to be assured by this very fact of their delivery. At all events, whether we write or keep silence, we hold in our hearts one duty-to guard the memory of your
Modesty and to pray the Lord to grant that you may complete the course of the good life you have chosen. Truly, there is no small struggle for him who makes profession to fulfill his promise. In fact, choosing the manner of life according to the Gospel is the privilege of everyone, but carrying the observance even to the smallest point and neglecting none of its written rules--this is successfully accomplished by very few of those who have come within our knowledge. It is to have the tongue guarded and an eye disciplined according to the intention of the Gospel, to work with our hands with the intention of pleasing God, to move our feet and to employ each of our members in the manner in which our Creator directed from the beginning. It is to observe modesty in dress, caution in our conversations with men, moderation in food, and frugality in the acquisition of the necessaries. AIl these things are small when thus simply mentioned, but they require a Canonesses were women who devoted themselves to education. district visiting. funerals. and various charitable .works. and who lived in com· munity apart from men. Cf. Socrates 1.17; Sozomen 8.23. Rules were laid down for their guidance. as St. Basil here sets forth. but St. Augus. tine in 423 drew up the first general rules for such communities of women. They are distinguished from nuns in not being bound by vows. and from deaconesses as not so distinctly discharging ministerial duties.
This letter was written about the year 374.