Letter to Theodore, physician of Constantinople

St. Gregory the Great (Dvoeslov) in a letter to Theodore, the physician of Constantinople, addresses the topic of alms and charity. He expresses his gratitude for the help given to the poor and captives, and recalls the importance of hiding alms, citing biblical texts. My beloved son, Deacon Savinian, upon returning to me, did not bring me any letter from you; but delivered what you sent for the captives and the poor. From this I understood the reason for your silence. You did not want to speak to man through a letter, speaking before Almighty God through a good deed. This act of yours speaks for itself, proclaiming the secrets to God himself, as it is written: hide alms in the bosom of the poor and pray for you (Sir.29:15). Although, I confess, it is regrettable for me to give away what belongs to others, and, in addition to caring for the affairs of the Church, to also take care of the use of your property, my beloved son Theodore; but I rejoice in your charity; you remember and carefully observe what the Truth says: give alms, and all will be clean to you (Luke 11:41), and what is written: water will quench a burning fire, and alms will cleanse sins (Sir.3:30). The Apostle Paul also says: with your abundance, let their deficiency be filled, and then with their abundance, let your deficiency be filled (2 Cor. 8:14). Tobiah exhorts his son, saying: when you have plenty, do alms from them; You keep all these commandments; pray that I do not distribute the fruits of your labors indiscriminately and inappropriately, and that I do not multiply my own sins by the way you reduce yours. May Almighty God keep you under His roof, and in earthly villages may He send you the gratitude of people; and, after a certain time, will lead the heavenly villages into eternal joy. I send you the blessing of St. Peter, the Supreme Apostle, for whom you have ardent love, as well as the key to his sacred shrine, which contains a piece of iron from his shackles. May that which bound him for martyrdom free you from all sins.