Hormisdas to Justin Augustus.

It is certain that the fame of your glory has been so widely extended by the grace of the Divinity, and that, with the merit of your life aiding you, it has come to be laudably known to the world through the opinion of the most esteemed men, that it is more believed that the height of imperial power was conferred upon you than that anyone would say you are recognized through your rule. Indeed, it is clear that, by this advancement of yours, a crowning honor has been added to your former splendor.

But just as you once held preeminence through your character, so now, when the greatness that cannot be concealed has carried you through the mouths of the nations, the fragrance of your sweetness has reached us too, as the Scriptures speak mystically. And surely, since the judgment of prudent men has widely spread the principles of your religious life, we could not remain ignorant of anything about you that has been proclaimed by the testimony of the world.

For just as things worthy of modest praise cannot claim boundless acclaim for themselves, so whatever is adorned with the beauty of admiration is carried endlessly into the people’s praise. The greatness of your fame rightly claims its measure of testimony, for marvelous things cannot remain hidden. Hence it is that public laws have entrusted to you sovereignty and honors: for no one has been so unjust an arbiter of affairs as to judge that you have casually received the illustrious titles of rule, when the insignia of your merits have become the prayers of all, since it cannot be denied that you have worthily earned the summit of empire, whose virtue the world has recognized.

But it is a small thing, even if by the judgment of all, to receive the rights of ruling as a reward in place of merit. Far more admirable is this: that empires receive you, confirmed by the praise of men, as though they were divine judgments. There is no doubt that those whom the venerable predestination of the Divinity has chosen come to the ornaments of such great power, those whom the proofs of sincere faith surround.

Truly, we might say that the words of the prophetic spirit apply to you: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5). To this glory, through the incomprehensible arrangement of the supernal majesty, the obedience of nature brought you forth to the world, the virtue of a life lived under the guardianship of faith prepared you, and divine clemency advanced you to rule—evidently for this reason: that at last, through the execution of your faith, the dividers of the Lord’s body might be suppressed.

The harmony of the Churches might cut down the diabolical obstacles, and the whole world might rejoice in unity. This duty is specially entrusted from heaven to your religion, your faith, and your serenity, to whom we see granted both the power to do all things and to bring them to completion.

Therefore, as you have begun to do, strive to fulfill the task of the work you have undertaken, which you see has been enjoined upon you by supernal Providence. And truly, it was fitting that peace, which the reverence of the Divinity demands, should be established through a prince. Offer these gifts of your assumed empire to our God, so that through you the fruit of peace may be fulfilled.

Without doubt, whatever benefit is granted to your soul by such a deed is judged by the world to have been bestowed by you. Great and inestimable is this, venerable emperor, for which you have been called by the judgment of the Divinity: behold, the prayers of those desiring peace are extended.

The indivisible communion of the Churches mourns, torn apart through the long passage of time; the brotherhood lies sundered in grief, while varied wills surround the teachings of the Fathers. Gird your loins, therefore, with the strength of faith; see to whom the Divinity wishes you to be obedient, and how much it seeks to accomplish through you.

The venerable body of the Church, which our Christ founded with His own passion, has been appointed to be united by the deeds of your glory. There is no way the grace of the supernal majesty shines more brightly around you than if the body of the Church, formed by the redemption of the Lord’s blood, is restored through your service.

Indeed, the calamity of this cause is most ancient, but its pain is most fresh due to its magnitude, and the groan of Christian souls is all the stronger for how long it has been delayed. It is for you to see how greatly the madness of the ancient enemy rages daily, and how, though the matter was once settled by the conclusion of a sentence, it delays the peace.

And although the Synod of Chalcedon and the decrees of the blessed Pope Leo are pleasing, you must not cease from the struggle to return to charity. Those things ascribed to the aforementioned teachings follow, and their followers, whom the aforesaid authority understands to be condemned, do not withdraw. They still hold in their embrace the name of Acacius, whom they see has been justly subjected to punishment and condemned by the judgment of the Apostolic See.

Who does not understand that it is pretense to say: “We follow the teachings of the holy Fathers,” but not to cherish their deeds? “We foster, venerate, and embrace what was established by the holy Synod of Chalcedon and what the letter of the blessed Leo contains,” they say, “but we offer prayers to Acacius, who followed the communion of the condemned.”

But why is it necessary to speak of matters already judged, when it is only fitting for us to exhort that, with the pretense expressed above removed, those who say these things ought to seek peace with all purity? With you lies the entire cause of my supplication, illustrious emperor; here, resist such things with the living charity of a religious work.

It rests upon you, who under a private life held the desire for ecclesiastical harmony, to bring it to effect under your rule. There was no greater way for the abundance of your grace to increase than that it has been divinely given to you to bring to completion what you have always wished to see done.

Nor has the grace of the Divinity shone briefly around you, to whom it is granted to do what you have always desired. Wherefore, since you see that the title of so great a cause has been reserved for you, remove whatever ambiguity is believed to remain, for the fullness of joys.

For we, with the affection that is fitting, having received the letters of your principate through Gratus, a most distinguished man—to whom, for his moderation, we rightly deemed the duty of this embassy entrusted—have sent men suited to the magnitude of this cause: Bishops Germanus and John, Presbyter Blandus, and Deacon Felix. Through them, if, as we presume, the favor of your serenity smiles upon us, the prayers of all may be confirmed by the unity of the Churches according to the mandates given (in the year of our Lord 519).