Hormisdas to John, Bishop of Nicopolis, through Pulion:

The series of letters you sent and the exposition of your faith, which is in agreement with the judgments of the Apostolic See, have lifted our spirits. Yet, even filled with such joy, we desired to learn more fully what is happening among you through Pulion (Polion), subdeacon of the Roman Church, especially since, in the report of the bishops under your charitable order, not everything pertaining to the ecclesiastical statutes is clearly expressed as it should be.

Therefore, out of our concern and for their full unity with us, we have sent a document that they should sign, as all the priests of your region who have returned to the communion of the Apostolic See have subscribed to the same profession. This desire for charity and the pursuit of common salvation has motivated this action, which I trust your fraternity will gratefully accept, since where the matter concerns the salvation of souls, you should offer your cooperation and commitment so that you may obtain the reward of such praise by your example.

Send back the aforementioned Pulion, along with the letters of your charity, to us quickly with God’s help, so that our long-held desires may not remain in suspense.
Given on the 13th of the Calends of December (19th November), in the year of our Lord 516, during the consulship of the illustrious man, Petrus.

Rule of Faith:

The first salvation is to uphold the rule of right faith and never deviate from the decrees of the Fathers. And since the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, saying: “You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church,” cannot be overlooked, these words are proven by their results because the Apostolic See has always preserved the pure religion.

Therefore, not wishing to be separated from this hope and faith, and following in all things the decrees of the Fathers, we anathematize all heretics, especially Nestorius, the heretic who was once Bishop of Constantinople, condemned at the Council of Ephesus by Pope Celestine of the city of Rome and by Saint Cyril, Bishop of the city of Alexandria. Along with him, we also anathematize Eutyches and Dioscorus of Alexandria, condemned in the holy synod of Chalcedon, which we follow and embrace.

We also condemn Timothy, the parricide nicknamed Aelurus, and his disciple and follower Peter, as well as Acacius, who remained in their communion, because he who mingled with their communion deserved a similar sentence of condemnation. We likewise condemn Peter of Antioch and his followers, as well as all those mentioned above.

Therefore, we accept and approve all the letters of Pope Leo, especially those he wrote concerning the Christian religion. Thus, as we have previously stated, following the Apostolic See in all things and proclaiming all its decrees, I hope to merit to be in communion with you, in which there is the complete and true solidity of the Christian religion.

I also promise that those separated from the communion of the Catholic Church, that is, those who do not consent to the Apostolic See, shall not have their names recited among the sacred mysteries. I have subscribed to this profession with my own hand and presented it to you, Hormisdas, the holy and venerable Pope of the city of Rome.

Given on the 15th of the Calends of April (18th March), in the year of our Lord 517, during the consulship of the illustrious man, Agapitus.

Instructions by Pulion the Subdeacon:

What is to be done in the Nicopolitan Church:

Arriving in Nicopolis with the help of God and the prayers of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, you should proceed as follows: after the Bishop of Nicopolis receives our letters, he should gather the bishops within his parish and have them sign the document attached to his letters. If the aforementioned bishop says it is difficult to gather the bishops, he should send persons with you to each bishop so that they may sign the document in your presence.

However, with God’s mercy, you must ensure that the letters we sent are publicly read; or, if you see that the bishops do not wish to do this out of fear, at least let their clerics read them. Leave this matter to their discretion, and return the writings of the bishops and of John, the metropolitan bishop, to us with God’s mercy. After completing this, we do not wish you to delay there due to the plots and cunning of the enemies.

By the deacon John.