To our Lord, most holy and most blessed Father of Fathers, co-minister, and Prince of Bishops, Hormisdas, the Synod of Old Epirus: John, Matthew, Constantine, Christodorus (Christopher), Hilarus, Philip, Julian, and Chrysippus.

If we attempt to be rewarded worthily, it is necessary to accomplish this with many tears. Many of us were in Constantinople when your most holy vicars—Bishops Ennodius and Fortunatus, the priest Venantius, Deacon Vitalis, and the notary Hilarus—were there, upholding the struggle of piety. With us also was our father and archbishop, Alcyson, now numbered among the saints, who, with great supplication and many petitions, was deemed worthy by your blessedness to communicate with your Apostolic See together with us. But since He who holds the power over all things suddenly called him to Himself, we, held back by irrepressible weeping, have nevertheless returned to our homeland, in no way enduring error by the grace of God, but everywhere following your decrees.

As we weep and lament together with those co-ministers who were left with us in the parish, we wonder who among the orthodox may rightly guide the sheep of Christ. He who comforts the humble has also comforted us through your prayers, showing us the most holy John for the metropolitan city, who, from childhood, has been blamelessly raised in the Church, indeed living praiseworthily in it, so much so that no one surpasses him in these times. In zeal for orthodoxy, according to your apostolic admonitions, he yields to none.

Therefore, by God’s providence, we have ordained him the shepherd of the most holy Church of the Nicopolitans, and we ask that, according to ancient custom, you also embrace him with your fatherly affection. By God’s grace, may you be an invincible shield for us and for him through your admonitions and teachings, and may you incline your ear to our prayers, finding the piety of concord in accordance with the apostolic providence divinely inspired in you, so that in the peace that is pleasing to Him, all the most holy Churches, joined together, may weave an unfading crown for you in all piety and humility in Christ.

Please graciously receive the venerable deacon Rufinus, sent for this most necessary cause, and send him back to us quickly, bearing your apostolic teachings.

In another hand: Pray for my safety, most holy Father of Fathers.

I, John, bishop, have again reported: Pray for my safety in the Lord, most holy and blessed Father of Fathers.

I, Matthew, Bishop of Butrint, have reported.

I, Constantine, Bishop of Adrianople, have reported: Pray for my safety in the Lord, most holy and blessed Father of Fathers.

I, Christodorus (Christopher), Bishop of Anchiasmus, have reported.

I, Hilarus, Bishop of Photice, have reported.

I, Philip, Bishop of Phoenice, have reported.

I, Julian, Bishop of Dodona, have reported.

I, Chrysippus, Bishop of Congra, have reported.