Hormisdas to the illustrious Justinian.

We acknowledge your zeal for ecclesiastical peace and for condemning the errors of heretical strife by the very results you have achieved. Without doubt, a great and immense reward awaits you for this work. Hence, whatever we have deemed necessary for the firmness of the canons and the reverence of the Apostolic See, we confidently command to your greatness for execution, knowing that you are ready to receive with great joy such matters, as numerous examples of this nature attest.

Therefore, setting aside lengthy introductions, we turn to the matter at hand in this present letter. The Church grieves and cannot fully enjoy the great beginning of the desired unity due to the suffering caused by a single matter. We earnestly pray that your benevolence may remove this concern from us. For both the current pain and the opportunity for future conflicts caused by this situation trouble us greatly, through which the rules of the venerable Fathers are disregarded, and the authority of the Apostolic See is thought to be capable of being scorned.

For when, by the favor of the Divine and the most merciful prince, and with your assistance, it is believed that only those are bishops who agree to return to our communion after condemning errors, our brothers and fellow bishops, Helias, Thomas, and Nicostratus, who began the good cause even under an adversarial emperor, not only have found no benefit for their good efforts but also cannot retain the duties of dignity conferred upon them by the Lord. Instead, they are driven away from the flocks committed to them and are compelled to endure the miseries of the condemned.

Therefore, we ask and solemnly implore you by divine mercy to offer your highest support and the affection of your proven energy to their cause (which is just), adhering to the footsteps of the most pious prince, so that he may finally restore them to their Churches with a view of piety and consideration of justice. For it is claimed by enemies that our desired communion has displeased them, turning it into an affront to their honor.