To the most blessed and holy father Hormisdas, Bishop of the City of Rome, from Justinian, Consul:

How much reverence we have for religion, and how greatly we have always been concerned for the unification of the holy Churches, your blessedness also knows. For after our most illustrious Lord, the Emperor, began his reign, we have sent letters by all those coming to Italy, beseeching your pontificate as was fitting. Now, too, lest anything necessary to be done should be omitted, the reverend John, Bishop, the presbyter Heraclianus, and the deacon Constantius of the holy Church of this illustrious city have been sent to your blessed city, that they may receive a full response concerning all that your son, the most serene Emperor, has written about.

Your holiness should therefore receive these most religious men with willingness and, after prayers have been made and the Divinity appeased, order all things with such reverence that nothing may remain ambiguous. For it seems to us that the Son of the living God, our Lord Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, whom the chief Apostle proclaimed to have suffered in the flesh, is rightly said to reign as one in the Trinity with the Father and the Holy Spirit, and that his person in the Trinity, and as one from the Trinity, should be believed without infidelity.

Regarding the names of deceased bishops, handle them with kindness and as befits a peaceful father. Your predecessor of blessed memory also wrote to Anastasius, suggesting that if only the name of Acacius were removed, we would have communion together. Didn’t your Apostolic See advise to imitate the most blessed and holy Leo, the Roman pontiff, and just as he wrote to Leo, so you too, removing all doubts, should write perfect and peaceful letters to the most invincible prince, your son, on behalf of the Church, so that you may stand before the tribunal of the coming Judge as participants with those whose seat you hold by priestly right.

Therefore, let your pontificate show that it is the successor of the Apostle Peter; for the Lord will demand from you, as the supreme shepherd, the salvation of all, who may be saved by the establishment of concord. Indeed, we will no longer allow any controversy about religion to be stirred up in our republic by anyone after the conclusion of the chapters for which you have received writings, nor should your holiness listen to those engaging in unnecessary disputes.

Farewell, most blessed father, and may the Lord keep you safe and blessed.