Bishop Hormisdas to Anastasius Augustus.

Thanks to the divine power, which through the utterances of your piety has deigned to end a long silence, providing such a beginning of conversation that we rejoice in the prosperity of your clemency and trust, God granting, that the holy Church can return to unity. This is the work of divine clemency, and has always been the prayer of our predecessors; whom also the actions of paternal tradition declare to have been ministers and guardians of the right faith. For peace is the beginning of all goodness, which, as far as the cultivation of the Catholic faith is concerned, should be considered most powerful, nothing ought to be esteemed higher: for this, indeed, it befits to do and endure all things, for one who wishes to be a credible disciple of the Holy Scriptures. This mother and nurse of all goods, our Lord Christ himself is known to have preached to his disciples, saying: ‘My peace I give unto you, my peace I leave with you’ (John 14). Which you, with the religious care of your purpose, providing by inspiration of the Lord, think of orthodox concord of the Church in the reverence of the blessed apostle Peter, especially keeping the divine commandments. This matter procures greater defense of divine favor for your empire. For rightly offered reverence to God grants an impregnable wall of defense to devout minds. Therefore, with fervent prayers, we beseech Almighty God, that He who has allowed you the zeal of seeking the peace of the Churches, may also, under the conservation of the Catholic faith, grant effect to your desire in this part. Moreover, with sacred utterances sent to us, your piety has deigned to make mention of a holy council. About which matter we will be able to provide a most complete response, when it pleases to make us evidently recognize the cause of the assembly. Now, however, since, by the grace of our Lord, the opportunity for discourse is given, we will provide the services of speech with due reverence of what is owed. Given the day before the nones of April (in the year of the Lord 515), to Florentius, a man of highest distinction.