Hormisda to Justinian, an illustrious man.

That your Excellency is pleased to show goodwill towards me is a matter pleasing to God and fitting for a right conscience; yet there are no small benefits for us from this purpose. A greater reward from such goodness returns to you, for the honor shown to a priest is not without value. Indeed, it is certain that the honor of the minister is the worship of the Lord, and whoever holds the person of a great priest in honor will receive a greater reward from Him whom the priest serves, as the Lord Jesus said that those who receive prophets in honor shall have their reward.

And for me, indeed, the favor of your grace is of great importance, but it is even more precious because whatever grace you kindly extend to me, you demonstrate in the defense of the Churches. But, to direct our words to what your Excellency desires, although both the most merciful Emperor and you promise that a delegation will come, and it is fitting that we should await the presence of those who are to be sent concerning all things; yet, because it is pleasing to us that you have declared your zeal concerning religion, it does not burden me to anticipate, by saying that it is not necessary for followers of the stability of your faith and intention (rather than contention) to be disturbed by the insolent novelty of words.

The Holy Trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—is one God; this is whom Israel is commanded to worship, whose inseparable and undivided substance cannot be divided, nor can it be separated by sacrilegious distinction, while preserving the unique property of each person. Meanwhile, considering the limit of the style of an epistle, we believe it sufficient to commend this briefly to your faith, leaving fuller matters to be discussed with the flourishing reign of the most clement Emperor, if it happens that, by God’s grace, we receive the promised delegation and, having understood all things, return a response for the instruction of all.