To our holy and most blessed father of fathers, archbishop and patriarch Hormisdas, Theophilus, Basiliscus, Isaiah, Anastasius, Paternus, Martianus, and the rest of the holy synod gathered in the city of Constantinople:

Considering the infinite and incomprehensible wisdom of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, as far as it is given to men to understand, we rightly marvel at His immense love and with a great voice cry out: “Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all His praise?” (Psalm 105). For behold, by the good will of the holy and consubstantial Trinity, and through the intercession of the glorious Virgin Mary, and by the diligence and vigilance of the most Christian and faithful Emperor and the most pious Empress, those who were once divided members have been restored to perfect unity and love by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Just as Moses and Aaron were named leaders of the true worship of God in Israel, so now we rejoice and cry out: “Let us sing to the Lord; He has gloriously triumphed. The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation” (Exodus 15). We have been taught to feel and proclaim these things with confidence.

Considering also the love and God-pleasing life of your blessedness, as reported by the most reverend legates you sent, and likewise the peace of the holy Churches of God, both of Old and New Rome, of which we ourselves have been shown to be participants, we offer thanks to our good shepherd and leader of all, Christ our God. For after the death of the blessed memory of the former Archbishop and Patriarch John of the city of Constantinople, God, who has founded His holy Church upon the rock of true faith, declaring that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16), has given us as a holy pastor and patriarch, Epiphanius, who flourishes in virtues, corrections, and the meditation of the divine Scriptures, holding true faith and guiding the paternal care of the orphaned, and what more can I say? He surpasses all praise. Therefore, possessing these virtues, it is rightly known that he has wisely and honorably managed the great cares entrusted to him for the Church, having in mind what the author of the holy song relates: “My mouth will speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will be understanding” (Psalm 49). Therefore, according to the correct and praiseworthy judgment of our most faithful and Christian emperor, the most pious empress, and the most glorious nobles of the commonwealth, and by the testimony of all of us living in this city, the judgment of Paul, the wondrous doctor of the common Church, has not been found wanting in him, who declares that a bishop must be blameless (1 Timothy 3). So we also see that our bishop is crowned with virtues from all sides.

Therefore, fulfilling the ecclesiastical law, offering the due duty of greeting to your apostolate, we hope that your charity will be pleased to maintain a greater bond of love and paternal affection towards us, and that you will exercise, with wise governance and humility befitting a Christian, and gentleness concerning the salvation of the reasonable flock entrusted to you, considering it a common gain that through you and your genuine co-minister, our lord and patriarch, peace of the Churches of the whole world is provided. For a brother spiritually helped by a brother is an invincible wall and a fortified city, as we receive from the divine Scriptures. Indeed, through the intercessions of your blessedness, general tranquility has been restored to the orthodox Churches; glory to God in the highest will indeed be rendered with joy by the angels, peace on earth will be confirmed, and goodwill will be poured out upon the faithful, the common servants of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Therefore, adding to our petitions, whatever has been left unsaid, are John, the most holy bishop of the city of Claudiopolis, our co-minister; Heraclianus, the most reverend presbyter of the Holy Great Church and cohabitant of the aforementioned most holy Archbishop and Patriarch Epiphanius; and Constantine, the most reverend deacon of the same holy Church, who are known to have given proof of their true faith and goodwill long ago to those sent from your apostolic See. They are shown to be worthy of your holiness and the administration of peace and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, our God, and the unity of the holy Churches. We hope that they, rejoicing in the Lord and proclaiming the desired peace, may be deemed worthy to return to us soon, having been taught by your God-beloved corrections. We also send our warmest greetings in Christ to all the brotherhood who are with you (year of our Lord 519).

Signatures

• Theophilus, by the mercy of God, Bishop of the city of Heraclea, Metropolitan, subscribing in the synodal acts, greets you in the Lord.
• Basiliscus, by the mercy of God, Bishop, Metropolitan of the Zicinians, as above.
• Stephanus, by the mercy of God, Bishop of the Nicomedians, Metropolitan, as above.
• Isaias, by the mercy of God, Bishop of the city of Rhodes, Metropolitan, as above.
• Anastasius, by the mercy of God, Bishop of Nicaea, Metropolitan, as above.
• Joannes, by the mercy of God, Bishop of the city of Claudiopolis in the province of Isauria, as above.
• Paternus, by the mercy of God, Bishop, Metropolitan of the province of Scythia, as above.
• Martianus, by the mercy of God, Bishop of the city of Chalcedon, Metropolitan, as above.
• Patricius, by the mercy of God, Bishop of the city of Eudoxiopolis, Metropolitan, as above.
• Polydeucius, by the mercy of God, Bishop of the city of Antioch, Metropolitan, as above.
• Eulogius, by the mercy of God, Bishop of the city of Melitene, Metropolitan, as above.
• Stephanus, by the mercy of God, Bishop of the city of Philomedia in the province of Pisidia, as above.
• Christodorus, by the mercy of God, Bishop of the city of Methymna, as above.
• Palmantius, the least bishop of the city of Oenanda in the province of Lycia, as above.
• Joannes, by the mercy of God, Bishop of the city of Attalia, as above.
• Joannes, by the mercy of God, Bishop of the city of Olympus in the province of Lycia, as above.
• Martianus, the least bishop of the city of Martiana in the province of Lycia, as above.
• Phocas, the least bishop of the city of Dardania in the province of Hellespont, as above.
• Zoticus, by the mercy of God, Bishop of the city of Carpathus in the province of the Islands, as above.
• Sabbatius, by the mercy of God, Bishop of the city of Stratonicea in the province of Lycia, as above.