Hormisdas to Justinian, a most illustrious man.

We have come to know that your Excellency’s spirit is so vigorous with religious devotion that you prefer the benefit for the perfection of the peace of the Church to be demanded of you rather than requested, believing that it brings advancement to the merits of your excellence, which you are eager to offer for the sake of the common good. Thus, we presume to seek from you what we know will be beneficial to your merits, as if it were a debt owed; therefore, my lord and son, greeting you with all affection, we hope that you will remain attentive to the work which you began with the help of the Lord, remembering the divine testimony: “He who perseveres to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22).

Moreover, the monks whom you mentioned in your letters as having come to Rome, we wanted them to return immediately to their own places. But since they declared under the witness of divine power that they could endure the danger of death due to the snares prepared for them on the journey, wishing to return to Constantinople, we did not allow them to be expelled by force. Therefore, we have had to inquire through our arriving legates about the true cause that led to the discord among them.

Indeed, as you have most religiously requested, we have sent the holy relics of the most blessed Apostles Peter and Paul with all veneration through the bearer of this letter, hoping by their prayers that the offering of your mind and the desires of your grace may be pleasing to the Divinity. We therefore ask that you may inform our concern of your well-being, as well as of those matters that are being done for concord, bringing joy to us through the swift delivery of your letters. Given on the fourth day before the Nones of September, under the consulship of Eutharicus, a most illustrious man (in the year of Our Lord 120).