Hormisdas to the illustrious Justinian.

We bless the ineffable help of the Divinity because we have recognized that the desire for the peace of the Churches throughout the world has been fulfilled under tranquility. This did not happen beyond our expectations, for we have always held hope for peace from one born of a most religious emperor. And what we believed should be done regarding unity under a Christian prince was a matter of prayer.

Therefore, the glorious emperor will have titles of triumph from this cause, not those that are erased by the forgetfulness of mortality, but those that the grace of Divinity confirms in perpetuity. And you, too, will not lack the reward of heavenly recompense, for you have supported the plan of a good prince and have caused the horror of separation to be excluded by a fitting act of obedience to his wish. Blessed be the Lord our God, who has visited and redeemed His people (Luke 1).

Now, since such a duty has evidently been entrusted to you by Divine providence, gird your loins, as it is said, and pursue with the strength of peaceful exhortation those who do not yet recognize peace, especially because it detracts from the glory of your grace if anything in this cause remains unfulfilled. Consider all things with the faith by which you live, and with the diligence by which you flourish, meet every assault that you see afflicts the reverence of the Christian religion, so that we may be able to say with joy about your perseverance: “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord” (Psalm 22).

Since this is the case, it is fitting for you, who have initiated tranquility for the Catholic Church, to ensure its completion. The favor of our Savior will not be lacking in perfection, He who inspired you to begin this work. Given under the consulship as mentioned above (in the year of our Lord 519).

(After this letter in the Avellana collection, there follows another which the Ballerini editors published in the works of St. Leo, Vol. III, p. 166.)

Hormisdas.

Since it was necessary to send letters to our most merciful prince, our lord, we could not pass over your greatness in silence. Therefore, we commend those who have been designated for this matter, offering the honor of our greeting. We ask that, under your guidance, they quickly reach their destination, so that our most holy and religious emperor may soon recognize the glory of his merits without delay.