To my lord, most holy and blessed father of fathers, fellow minister and chief of bishops Hormisdas, John sends greetings in the Lord.

My constant endeavor has been to seek only to live my own life, free from the cares and anxieties of the world. Yet, as the judgments of God are a profound mystery (Psalm 36:6), as I am aware from your blessed teachings, upon the death of our father and former archbishop Alcyson, whom Christ called to the heavenly dwellings, I was chosen by the holy synod and the clergy of shepherds to succeed him. Entrusting everything to God, who enables the stammering to speak freely, I now turn to your prayers in accordance with the tradition of your apostolic see, which bears the responsibility for all Churches, including that of the Nicopolitans, in line with your long-standing spiritual guidance.

Praying for the Spirit to open my lips, as the Apostle instructs (Ephesians 6), and as the Lord Himself commands, I ask you to join me in this petition, to seek alongside me, and to welcome with your spiritual hand those who knock. By doing this, most holy father, I can receive, find, and walk the correct path of truth as opened by Christ.

However, some who claim to believe and follow the holy synods convened at Nicaea, Constantinople, and Ephesus, where the bishops of blessed memory Celestine of your apostolic see and Cyril of Alexandria presided, and also the Chalcedon Synod against the impious Eutyches, which all affirmed these orthodox truths, now challenge us as if shunning the bond of unity without reason. My desire is to adhere to your teachings, as my saintly predecessor Alcyson did, and I anathematize Dioscorus, Timothy known as Aelurus, and Peter his successor; as well as Acacius, mingled in communion with these, and Peter who disturbed the Antioch Church, in all things following the synodal and apostolic letters penned by the true bishop of the Roman Church, Leo.

I request more comprehensive and precise guidance on what should be upheld and what should be avoided, as detailed in your guiding letters. If perhaps I am still inexperienced in interpreting readings, or if I have said or acted in a manner inconsistent with your apostolic teachings, being nurtured by your words will enable me to withstand the schemes of heretics. Doing this, most holy one, will strengthen the bishops of our holy synod and fortify the clergy and people, making the holy Nicopolitan Church akin to you.

Please kindly regard the venerable deacon Rufinus, sent for this vital mission, and by granting him your confidence, enable his swift return to us, bearing spiritual and apostolic decrees. In Christ, I and those with me send abundant greetings to the entire, most holy brotherhood of your beatitude.