Hormisdas to Euphemia Augusta

The peace of the Churches is now being arranged by divine order, as God has chosen you for the Empire, knowing that your devotion to His religion has always remained steadfast. Just as in private life, you have always worshiped God with the right doctrine, so now you think about the unity of religion. Indeed, many things have already been accomplished at the beginning of your reign that promise us hope for complete correction. Therefore, as we rejoice in the fervent love of faith in you, we give thanks to God and pray daily to blessed Peter the Apostle on your behalf, asking that he support your petitions before the Lord and fulfill the course of your good will.

There is no doubt that you are aided by divine help, as you obey the heavenly commandments with such devotion to religion. Therefore, knowing the sanctity of your marriage, we confidently send this letter to your clemency, asking that through you, the piety of your husband may be further inspired to achieve the peace of the Church. You have undertaken a great work; a great cause has been entrusted to you. Through you, Christ also wishes to recall the people to the bonds of the Church, whom He desired to redeem from death by Himself. A great opportunity for praise is also prepared for your sex, if through your efforts, Christ unites the divided members of His Church.

No greater glory belongs to her who discovered the wood of the cross, which the whole world venerates. You will surpass even her merits, for the unity of the Church found its symbol through her, but through you, it will have its remedy. Let the religious clemency of your spouse act so that our brothers and fellow bishops, under that form of the document which we have long sent, may declare their faith, so that the correction that has begun may be made perfect. For any confession in the worship of God is worthless if it lacks the fullness of faith. What we have asked to be done by others, many priests have already accomplished, and the unity will not be just in communion unless it is preserved in the return (519 AD).