Hormisdas to John, Bishop of Constantinople.

As I consider the letters of your charity, in which you profess to hold the same faith as the See of the blessed Apostle Peter, I am inclined to exclaim with the prophetic voice: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133). For it matters not how distant we are separated by the spaces of our lands when we are already joined together in the unity of faith by the will of God. Now, indeed, under the guidance of divine mercy, the once-scattered members of Christ are coming together into the appearance of one body, and the inheritance of our Lord, which was torn apart by the most unjust robbers, is restored as foretold by the prophetic voices.

Truly, the foundations of the Eastern Church are solidified in the faith of this rock, that is, in the firmness of the prince of the apostles, which your letters have demonstrated. It is fitting, therefore, to rejoice in due time and say: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach peace, who bring good tidings” (Romans 10). Thanks be to the most excellent Trinity, who has granted that the Church and the state are led by those united in Christ. Indeed, the safety of all things lies in the unity of priests and princes in the truth of the Catholic faith. This is the firm bond of peace, this is the society established by heaven; nor is it right for the subjects to think differently when they see their leaders in concord.

Is it not evident that divine providence has arranged all these things? First, He has chosen a prince who, seeing that he has received dominion over men, did not forget that he is subject to God. Next, He gave your fraternity as the prelate to His Church, one who would undoubtedly remain in firm and certain concord with our See, that is, the Apostolic See. For, having willingly accepted the letter of faith from us, and being eager for restoration in Christ, it is clear that you were never considered estranged from us in the divine plan.

Therefore, dearest brother, persist in the blessings of our God, who runs to meet you willingly; gather more fully the once-scattered members of the flock, and guard what has been gathered. Remember now that you have been appointed by Christ as the captain of the ship: keep in mind the rebellious spirits of diabolical defiance, disturbing the calmness of the journey and the care of the Church. Do not overlook the waves of uncertain storm, which you should foresee with a watchful mind and balance with reason uplifted to God. Let no negligence in the entrusted duty wrest the rudder of the Lord’s ship from your hands. Keep your eyes always fixed on the one sure sign of the right path, so that you may despise the agitations caused by the blowing devil, and reach the harbor of the promise in tranquility.

This is the arena of Christian struggle, and such a victory of the Christian militia leads to the palm of eternal life. In this way, the support of the leader will not be lacking to his soldier who rightly considers these things; and the more the enemy’s plots multiply, the more the grace of the supreme ruler turns their poisons into the substance of His mercy, as the word of apostolic truth affirms, saying: “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5). You, adhering only to divine and most righteous institutions, fostering ecclesiastical concord, marked with the sign of a peacemaking will, will be recognized as a disciple of Him who said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you” (John 14).

Encourage also, although he is inclined toward what is right, our most merciful son, the prince Justin, divinely chosen for the Christian age, to fulfill what he has promised in his royal letters. Let him issue decrees to those whom the errant path still leads away from the bosom of Mother Church, so that with both the authority of religion and the moderate power of the empire, he may suppress the deceit of the devil and consider it his greatest victory against the common enemy of all humanity, if, with the help of divine aid, he crushes the venom of the ancient serpent.

Also, do not cease to be concerned about the state of the Churches of Alexandria and Antioch, and humbly petition the most merciful prince to restore peace in these matters through religious order, so that he may add the fullness of perfection to his good beginnings. For a good work is begun in vain if it is not followed by complete perfection.

Furthermore, we commend to you the legates sent by the Apostolic See, and may your love send them back to us in such a way that they may be able to bring back to us full joy concerning the peace restored to all the Churches. Given on the seventh day before the Ides of July (in the year of our Lord 519), under the consulship of the most illustrious Eutharicus.