An epistle ( pronounced ( É Ë pÉ sÉ l ) ) ( Greek Î Ï Î Ï Ï Î Î '' Î , epistolÄ `` , `` letter '' ) is a writing sent to a person or group of people . It is often a written as a letter . An epistle ( ; Greek á 1\/4 Ï Î Ï Ï Î Î '' Î , epistolÄ `` , ` letter ' ) is a writing directed or sent to a person or group of people , usually an elegant and formal didactic letter .