The Early Church and Peter's Primacy

Copy of a Letter from Justinian to Pope Hormisdas

Synopsis: On proclaiming that one of the Trinity was crucified.

So that the fullness of the faith’s perfection may come to us through the teaching of your beatitude, we have again sent Eulogius, a vigorous agent in these matters, for this purpose among others. Through him, we earnestly request that in all things, by the circumspect and most cautious response of your apostleship, the confession of the Catholic faith may be confirmed. After the divine mercy has once granted unity to the Catholic Church, some assert that Christ, the Son of God, our Lord, crucified in the flesh for our salvation, should be proclaimed as one of the Trinity. If this should be accepted, may your reverence, with paternal foresight, deign to inform us by your most cautious reply what we should follow and what we should avoid in this matter. For the words seem to create dissension, yet the understanding among all Catholics is proven to be one.

Therefore, take up once again the labor you have already undertaken, O holy and venerable Father, following even in this matter your predecessors, whose memory you both cherish and whose fellowship in the pontificate you adorn, and hasten to make us free and secure regarding this intention. For we believe that what is made known to us by your religious response is truly Catholic. Moreover, it has been said that the Scythian monks approached your See on this matter concerning the tradition of the Fathers and the order of the rules; after giving them an unhesitant response, command that they be sent back to us with your letters. Also, direct that copies of these letters, properly signed, be given to the aforementioned vigorous man, Eulogius. We ask you to arrange all these things with the utmost caution so that no room is left for lies or deceit, for we, embracing the Catholic faith with the highest desire, seek, through your teaching, to grant unity to the entire world.

Source/Reference

Notes / Historical Commentary

The Early Church and Peter's Primacy