Hormisdas, bishop, to Justin the Emperor.

Upon reading the letters of your clemency, which announced the restoration of the harmony of faith, the joyful mind of the whole Church burst into the song of divine praise, singing: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men” (Luke 2). Therefore, in the confidence of this hymn, assume the glory and happiness worthy of your faithful merits. For it is not merely human consensus that has elevated you, the prince pleasing to God, to the pinnacle of the empire; rather, divine favor had destined you for this position beforehand.

He has entrusted the empire of the East to you so that you might become the instrument of His works; and thus, you should fulfill this prophetic statement: “You will make them rulers over all the earth; they will remember your name, O Lord, in all generations” (Psalm 45). Indeed, since you are determined to maintain Christian peace, who could doubt that you are beloved (chosen) by Christ? These are the foundations of your principality: to have pleased God with justice and to have won the support of the most exalted majesty while subduing His adversaries as if they were your own enemies. Truly, these are the greatest foundations of the state, this is its solid and invincible strength. For what is surrounded by the strength of divine grace cannot be penetrated by human blows.

The prophetic Scripture testifies to this, saying: “I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him. My hand shall hold him fast, and my arm shall strengthen him” (Psalm 89). But in vain does he seek arms and troops for himself whom divine grace has abandoned. For it is truly written: “Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain” (Psalm 127). You will indeed wage war with divine aid, most excellent prince, and bring the necks of the most savage nations under the yoke of your republic; but no victory can be more glorious than that you overthrow the enemy of the human race after so many years of conflict.

Indeed, other wars are by nature distinguished by nations, limited by regions, and stained with blood; but this victory encompasses the whole human race, and you will attribute this triumph to all regions. And what is most akin to divine mercy, those who recently followed the path of the devil now, without the shedding of blood, are conquered unto their salvation. Therefore, the triumph of this Christian victory will endure forever. For what is founded in the steadfastness of eternal faith cannot be destroyed by the stain of time.

The fame of your deeds will spread far and wide, and as the divine words declare, “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world” (Psalm 19). In other wars, you defend fields, cities, towns, and, ultimately, the liberty of those who are subject to you, which, being provided for the use of mortals, are to be dissolved by a similar kind of mortality. In this battle, however, life itself is defended, and it is fought, in a sense, for the fortress of eternal happiness.

Therefore, the preparation for so great a work requires your continuous attention. Ensure that there is no place whatsoever where the most fierce enemy might re-emerge; strip him of all defenses, and if any traces of him remain anywhere, cleanse it entirely with the remedy of clemency. Every seed of wickedness must be eradicated; every branch opposed to God must be cut down to the root, lest, if suppressed insufficiently (God forbid), the poisonous root of iniquity should once more spread its branches more widely.

Why do I say this? Because there still remains the correction of the Churches of Alexandria, Antioch, and others, which cannot in any way be neglected. If your clemency takes care of this matter, there is hope that the one who began all good things will swiftly bring them to completion with the same help. Furthermore, we commend the legates sent by the Apostolic See and entrust them to your faith and religiousness; and may your piety, having completed all things perfectly, allow them to return to the Apostolic See, bringing with them full joy concerning the peace of all the Churches.

These letters have been transmitted through Paulinus, the defender of the Roman Church and servant of your piety. Given on the seventh day before the Ides of July, under the consulship of the most illustrious Eutharicus (in the year of our Lord 519).