Hormisda to the Synod of Constantinople

We rejoice to hear from your fraternity that our brother and co-bishop, Epiphanius, has been chosen for the office of priestly ministry in the most fortunate (God-favored) Constantinople. Such news is received with greater pleasure when delivered by a beloved person, and the joy is even greater when there is no reason to question the testimony.

This is fitting, most beloved to us; it was proper to express your affection for your neighbor so that the Apostolic See may know about one who shines in morals and sanctity. As you have asserted, he is so imbued with all virtues that his merits serve as the strongest testimony to his elevation to the honor of the priesthood.

What is there that could be doubted about him, when his virtuous conduct was clearly proven in the concord achieved, and when the divine matters entrusted to him were received accordingly? Therefore, you act righteously, religiously, and piously in giving testimony to the truth and not denying a reward to the deserving. For it is the same error to remain silent about the truth as to support falsehoods, and the same injustice to withhold honor from those with pleasing conduct as to grant it to the unworthy.

It is certain, most beloved, that you partake in the praise of the bishop whose election you have announced, for whatever is praised in the one you have chosen among you is ascribed to the whole order of your fraternity. May Almighty God, preserving the peace of His faith in perpetuity, strengthen your election and ordination, which you have piously believed should be announced to the Apostolic See through our brother and co-bishop John, as well as our sons, Heraclianus the priest and Constantine the deacon, and may He so scatter all conflicts of discord, so restrain the hearts of the dissenters, that we may rejoice in the fulfillment of the peace accord given under our brother and co-bishop Epiphanius.

Given on the seventh day before the Kalends of April, under the consulship of Valerius, a most renowned man (the year of our Lord 521).

We have the records concerning the case of Abundantius, Bishop of Trajanopolis, in our archives.