Letter 49: Chrysostom explains that winter, isolation, and Isaurian danger make frequent writing difficult.

I wanted to write more often, but the scarcity of letter-carriers does not allow this desire to become action. The desolation of this place, the fear of the Isaurians, and the severity of winter do not allow people to visit us often. Still, whether writing or keeping silent, we always maintain the same disposition toward you. We have learned of the eagerness and zeal you have for the benefit of your soul, since you have been eager to give rest to those who live in piety and to pursue this good work. Knowing this, my most honored and devout lord, write to us continually about your health and that of your whole household. Then, even though we are in the desert, we will have great gladness if we receive such letters from your honor.

ΜΘʹ. Ἀλφίῳ. Ἐγὼ μὲν ἐβουλόμην συνεχέστερον ἐπιστέλλειν, ἡ δὲ τῶν γραμματηφόρων σπάνις οὐκ ἀφίησι τὴν ἐπιθυμίαν ταύτην εἰς ἔργον ἐλθεῖν· καὶ γὰρ ἡ τοῦ χωρίου τούτου ἐρημία, καὶ ὁ τῶν Ἰσαύρων φόβος, καὶ ἡ τοῦ χειμῶνος σφοδρότης οὐκ ἐπιτρέπει συνεχῶς τινας ἡμῖν ἐπιχωριάζειν. Ἀλλ' ὅμως, καὶ γράφοντες καὶ σιγῶντες, τὴν αὐτὴν ἀεὶ περὶ σὲ διάθεσιν τηροῦμεν, τὴν προθυμίαν σου καὶ τὴν σπουδὴν μανθάνοντες, ἣν ὑπὲρ τῆς ὠφελείας τῆς σῆς ἔχεις ψυχῆς, τούς τε ἐν εὐλαβείᾳ ζῶντας ἀναπαύειν ἐσπουδακὼς, καὶ τὴν καλὴν ταύτην πραγματευόμενος πραγματείαν. Ταῦτ' οὖν εἰδὼς, κύριέ μου τιμιώτατε καὶ εὐλαβέστατε, συνεχῶς ἡμῖν ἐπίστελλε τὰ περὶ τῆς σῆς ὑγιείας, καὶ τοῦ οἴκου σου παντός. Οὕτω γὰρ καὶ ἐν ἐρημίᾳ ὄντες πολλὴν ἔξομεν τὴν εὐφροσύνην, εἰ τοιαῦτα παρὰ τῆς σῆς τιμιότητος δεχόμεθα γράμματα.