Hormisda to Bishop Possessor:

We give unceasing thanks to our God, having heard of the excellent zeal of your charity and recognizing the path of righteousness which you uphold without commotion. May you continue in this disposition and provide an example for others to follow. These are heavenly gifts; these are the signs of divine retribution; these are the judgments of God, which have not allowed you to be separated from the fellowship of the Catholic priests.

Therefore, dearest brother, we urge you with these words to persevere in the steadfastness with which you have been chosen and to bring further growth to your worthy beginnings. For a good work, especially one that pertains to the doctrine of faith, seems to diminish if it does not always grow.

And if worldly tribulation should occur, placing future rewards before your eyes, we counsel you with apostolic admonition, saying: “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). However, we hope for better things, for God, who spoke through the blessed Apostle, “He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear” (1 Corinthians 10:13), will in His mercy deliver those He has chosen from the snares of the adversaries, just as He always has.

We have received your letter of confession of the true faith through our returning legates and have recognized the sincerity of your brotherhood because you did not hesitate to publicly proclaim what you rightly believe.

Given on the 3rd day before the Nones of April, under the consulship of the illustrious Agapitus (in the year of our Lord 517).