Barys was apparently offended by Theodoros Prodromos' obvious expertise in ancient literature and philosophy, and so accused him of heretical devotion to them. Theodoros felt that he must respond to this, unlike other accusations which other men might find more important. He listed major church fathers likely to fall under similar accusations. He spoke of his Christian writings, which should be a guarantee of his orthodoxy, and gave a 24-line acrostic confession of faith. He spoke of his devout family, including a metropolitan in the last generation, and his orthodox upbringing. Classical learning was, in fact, a considerable aid to faith