To the holy lord, most blessed and apostolic father, Pope Hormisdas, from Justinian, a most illustrious man.

By the favor of the Divine, which has always established the Catholic Church through the increase of faith, the unity of the holy Churches has flourished through the teaching and authority of your apostleship. But since we have learned that certain people, calling themselves monks—who are more devoted to discord than to charity and the peace of God—are attempting to cause disturbances, and have set out on their journey to your envoy, may your beatitude, knowing the cause of their malice through these present writings, deign to receive them as they deserve and drive them far away. For the vain babblings of those who hasten to introduce novelties into the Church, which are known to be contained neither in the venerable four synods nor in the letters of Pope Saint Leo, seem to stir up trouble everywhere.

Therefore, we also ask that, through the most reverend bishops and deacons sent by your apostleship to us, your envoy may deign to send them away with due correction, as stated above. Thus, we request that you urgently send these letters of this nature to us through the same bearer. Their names are Achilles, John, Leontius, and Mauritius (Maxentius). This is our greatest concern: that the unity which your labor and prayer have achieved may not be scattered by these restless men. We hope in the Lord God that, if there is anything that still dissents from the peace of the whole world, it may be joined to the communion of the Apostolic See through your prayers.

Presuming on the goodwill of your beatitude, we earnestly ask for your fatherly love, so that you may generously deign to illuminate both us and their basilica, which we have constructed here in our home in the name of the aforementioned venerable apostles, with the relics of the holy Apostles. Knowing that there is no greater benefit or gift you can bestow upon us, most blessed father, than if you fulfill this request of ours. As the aforementioned envoy hastily embarks on his journey, we have also sent two silk coverings to adorn the altar of the holy Apostles. Receiving these, we beseech you with your most fervent prayers to always keep us in your memory.