To the Lord most excellent in holy merits, most glorious in Christ, and most worthy of the Apostolic See, Pope Hormisdas, from Avitus.

While you see that the state of religion and the complete rules of the Catholic faith are in agreement, it is fitting that your vigilant care and exhortation should guide the flock entrusted to you throughout all the members of the Universal Church. Last year, if you remember, you visited the province of Vienne with a letter addressed to my humble self, which was delivered to me by the clerics of the Church of Arles. It was indeed filled with the fullness of pastoral concern.

In these letters, you, as you have brought joy through the conversion of the provinces of Dardania, Illyricum, and Scythia to the communion of joys, have also wisely instructed us on what may unknowingly mislead us. Thus, the condemnation of Eutyches and Nestorius—already long ago crushed by the authority of the most blessed predecessors of your holy See—has been long since made known to us through the diligent provision of your Apostolic See.

But what now greatly troubles and disturbs us is that, while you instructed us to await the outcome of the second delegation sent to Constantinople with all eagerness, you have neither informed us of what your holy son, my brother Ennodius, reported, nor whether he returned successfully. You have also delayed your promise with such prolonged silence that the preacher’s silence now leaves us more stunned than the delay of the delegation had made us suspicious.

For this reason, I have sent your servants, my sons Alexius the priest and Venantius the deacon, with this letter of humble service, in the name of the whole province of Vienne, which pertains to the Church entrusted to me by all your predecessors and the Apostolic See, so that through them I may learn from the oracle of your most blessed response whether the fervor of the aforementioned schisms, which had flared up within the city of Constantinople due to the vice of pernicious obstinacy—and which you say, more regrettably, has entangled the Churches of Alexandria and Antioch—has been properly corrected with you, Christ being favorable.

Or, if the returned delegation presented in evident writings what could be read simply, or perhaps conveyed more through news, from which any kind of suspicion remains about you. For we fear that the pontifical judgment, by not announcing favorable news, may have felt adverse outcomes.

To this is added what we have learned from the trustworthy reports of various people regarding the reconciliation or concord of the Roman Church, which Greece claims for itself. As much as it is to be embraced if stated truthfully, it is equally to be feared lest it be deceitfully feigned.

Therefore, I ask all in my service to instruct us, your sons and my brothers in Gaul, on what should be replied if asked for counsel; and because I am assured not only of the devotion of Vienne but of all Gaul, all seek to understand your decision on the state of faith. Pray that the false profession of the lost may not deceive us, as the truth found in the unity you govern does not separate us.

Received on the 10th of the Calends of February, during the consulship of Agapitus, by Alexius the priest and Venantius the deacon.