Hormisdas to Germanus and John, bishops, Felix and Dioscorus, deacons, and Blando, priest.

While the joys of ecclesiastical prosperity were uplifting us, and we were daily reaping the nearly complete fruits of your labor, suddenly, a hostile rumor reached us, disturbing us greatly. Even though we still have only uncertain suspicions regarding this news, given the gravity of the matter, we believe it should not be kept silent. It has been reported that our brother and fellow bishop John, while he was going to Thessalonica to receive the documents that were promised, was struck by such an irrational sedition of the people that, after the man who had provided him lodging was killed, he himself narrowly escaped a similar fate, barely saved by the reverence of the holy font.

The beginning of this sedition is said to have arisen under the guise of a deceptive interrogation initiated by the priest Aristides. However, if these things are true, we do not blame the people as much, for it is within the power of the venerable prince to decide how to punish the injury done in his time to a Catholic priest. But as far as we are concerned, we desire this matter to be dealt with diligently through you, with God’s favor, because we do not wish anyone to return without having been corrected or professing the right path of faith, only to claim that something has been imposed on him by the prince without the remedy of proper doctrine.

Therefore, carry out these things through your supplication, so that the Bishop of Thessalonica, who under the pretext of interrogation strives to prolong ecclesiastical peace by dragging out the matter, since he did not wish to receive it from you, should be sent to the city by the prince and receive doctrine from the Apostolic See. Whatever he considers doubtful, let him learn it here from us through direct inquiry. In this way, he can prove that he is observing the caution of the Catholic profession, not defending disputes that have been maliciously conceived. Let him know that we are prepared to instruct those who inquire well and to lead those who err back to the right path of faith, guided by knowledge.

For if he, while doubting, does not wish to experience the ready doctrine or to accept with a sincere heart what is commanded for the sake of peace and religion, it is clear with what intention he either opposes the precepts of our God or despises the examples of the orthodox prince. Therefore, your entire effort in your supplication should be focused on this part, because there is no other way for them to be saved, and the cause of the incited people is better settled under this discipline.

Let the most merciful prince also command that the priest Aristides come to us, because, as we have stated above, we desire that all whose peace in the Church is divided by ambiguity should come together to our communion, healed of the sickness of evil error, and feel the medicine of Catholic knowledge.

Furthermore, as soon as you receive this letter, you should immediately send one of your number to us with a report containing everything that has occurred or is occurring, to relieve our concern over these matters. Also, attach a messenger to your letters, so that any delay in delivery cannot be attributed to you.

Given on the third day before the Ides of October, under the consulship of the most illustrious Eutharicus (in the year of our Lord 519).