Hormisdas to Dioscorus, Deacon.

We rejoice in the success of the work you have undertaken with the help of Almighty God, regarding what has been accomplished thus far, informing all the peoples of Italy that what has been done through you, by the guidance of God, has been pleasing to us. We give thanks to our God without ceasing, who has made you recognize that you were sent not out of hatred but rather for the greatness of the cause. Therefore, since divine mercy has aided our humble and sincere intentions through you, it is necessary that we consider the reward and recompense of your diligence and efforts.

For in due course, we plan to write to our lord and son, the emperor, that he should ordain you as Bishop of Alexandria. It is fitting that the Church should be corrected by your teaching and moderation, in which you have served from the earliest days of your life. It has displeased us that the illustrious emperor attempted to appoint your charity to the Church of Antioch. It would be better for you to receive the dignity of such a priesthood in your own homeland so that you might teach the people of Egypt, rather than appear to err among Syrians, new and unfamiliar people, born in another part of the world.

The prolonged situation concerning our brothers and fellow bishops, Thomas and Nicostratus, grieves us, and we wonder why bishops who seem to be striving for the right faith before a Catholic prince are not aided. Your charity should alleviate their concerns, so that by achieving their desired goals, their sorrow may be turned into joy.

John, Bishop of Nicopolis, has written to us through Ammonius, a deacon, stating that certain malicious individuals are attempting to create false accusations against him before the prince. We commend him to your love, urging you to work diligently to ensure that his enemies’ deceit cannot harm his peace. We did not wish to receive Ammonius, the deacon coming to us, into the communion of the Apostolic See until we could consult with Deacon Sergius to determine what should be ordained concerning him. Our deliberation concerning the aforementioned deacon found it proper that he be joined to Catholic communion through the testimony of the document, which we acknowledge was solemnly presented and submitted to our communion.

We commend Paulinus, defender of the Roman Church, and urge you not to leave anything undone in your haste to return. It is better that all things be arranged with the help of our God over a longer period, for it is more pleasing that the status of all the Churches be established with some delay rather than leaving something incomplete through haste, which would cause us further labor and bring difficulties to our orders.

Given under the consulship as mentioned above (in the year of our Lord 519).