Papal Letters 1 part 37/50

(141.) JUSTIN AUGUSTUS TO POPE HORMISDAS. Although it befits us to make known the benefits of God to many, yet most of all to the supreme pontiffs. Accordingly, by these sacred letters we declare to your Holiness that, first indeed by the favour of the inseparable Trinity, then by the choice of the most eminent nobles of our sacred palace and of the most holy senate, and also by the election of the most valiant army, we — though unwilling and refusing — have been chosen and confirmed to the empire. We beseech, therefore, that by your holy prayers you supplicate the divine power, that the beginnings of our reign may be strengthened. For this both befits us to hope and you to fulfil. Given on the Kalends of August at Constantinople, in the consulship of the most distinguished Magnus. (142.) HORMISDAS TO JUSTIN AUGUSTUS.

To the venerable first-fruits of your reign, most glorious son, the Catholic Church sends its congratulation in place of a gift, through which it trusts, after so great a weariness of discord, to find the rest of peace. Nor is there any doubt that you have come to the summit of affairs by heavenly providence for this end: that the injury inflicted upon religion for so long in the regions of the East may be abolished. You have rendered to blessed Peter the apostle the due first-fruits of your empire, which we have devoutly received on this account, because we believe without doubt that the concord of the churches will, through you, shortly come to pass. God, who has granted to the feelings of your Piety the vows of addressing us, will Himself bestow, as we desire, your affection toward the sincere worship of His religion.

You have signified that the burden of empire was laid upon you against your will and refusal: by which reason it stands clear that you were chosen by heavenly judgement, according to the apostle who says: 'There is no power but from God; and the powers that are, are ordained of God.' It remains that you, chosen by God, as we also believe, should stretch out the comforts of your hands to the Church, which you see labouring. Let those cease who resist her peace; let those be still who, under the guise of shepherds, try to scatter the flock of Christ! The correction of these strengthens the might of your empire, for where God is rightly worshipped, adversity will have no effect. This page of congratulation we have not failed to send by Alexander, the honourable man, hoping, with the help of our God, through Gratus, the honourable man...

...our son, to give a response to your Clemency concerning the several matters that pertain to the unity of the Church. (143.) JUSTIN AUGUSTUS TO POPE HORMISDAS. John, a most blessed man, prelate of this royal city, and the other religious men, bishops found here from divers places and cities, have informed our Serenity that, for the concord of those who cherish the true and orthodox faith, and for the unity of his venerable churches, they have composed letters to be presented to your Holiness, and have earnestly requested that our epistolary pages also should go forth to it upon this matter.

Whose petitions, since we have ever been constituted lovers of unity, we have gladly embraced, and have judged that these divine missives should be forwarded to your Beatitude; and, these being received, we ask that you deign to succour the desires of the aforesaid most reverend prelates, and, for us and for the commonwealth — whose governance has from heaven been entrusted to our Piety — to placate the supernal Majesty by your prayers. And that the rights of peace and unity and concord may be more fully laid open to your Holiness, we ask that you arrange for certain most religious priests, who embrace and desire peace, to come to our most sacred court. For this cause indeed we have sent Gratus, the honourable man...

...count of our sacred consistory and master of the scrinium of memory, whose distinguished repute we have held known for many times past. Given on the seventh day before the Ides of September at Constantinople, in the consulship of the most distinguished Magnus. (144.) HORMISDAS TO JUSTIN AUGUSTUS, BY GRATUS. The gladness taken from the rise of your empire — which, prevailing mightily among us, you have deservedly doubled by your preceding address also — we, attesting it with reciprocal devotion, foresaw even then would follow: namely that which now, concerning your affection for ecclesiastical unity, you have signified by the inspiration of heavenly grace. You have, therefore, most clement emperor, present glory from such a vow already; but await from its perfection a glory perpetual.

These are the most valid foundations of your empire, which in the very beginning of the nascent reign, by holy disposition, set forth to all the divine worship. Hold, therefore, this care of pious solicitude, and, as you have begun, press on for the peace of Catholics, because our God, who has bestowed upon you this mind, has also chosen those through whom He may grant the effect. For we gladly embrace the vows and prayers of the bishops poured out to you, since at length, admonished by consideration of their own place, they desire those things which they would long since have wished to follow; nor has the frequent exhortation of the apostolic see been lacking.

And since we have learned that your Clemency desires this, and that they too ask these things — the matter which hitherto has divided the peace of the churches under contentious obstinacy has escaped the notice neither of your Piety nor of theirs, as though by some hidden cause. What, therefore, they ought to do is contained, in due order, both in our letters and in the libellus which we have sent. If, with our God and your Clemency helping, they receive and follow these things, it will be possible to arrive at that concord which we desire with the greatest ardour. Moreover, our son, the honourable Gratus, count of the sacred consistory and master of the scrinium of memory, has shown in himself your judgement by the maturity of his pleading; and his delay, upon his own report of it, will be the better set forth to your understanding.

(145.) HORMISDAS TO JOHN, BISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE. Spiritual joy your Charity has signified by the messages you have sent, saying that the discipline of the Catholic religion has, with our God helping, received its order in your parts. Who could doubt that these are benefits of the supernal mercy? Who could hesitate that these are joined to the trophies of the venerable prince? For a greater triumph is acquired for him from this peace than from any battles whatsoever. The glory of this labour knows no setting, for where God is rightly worshipped, never does the iniquity of adversaries increase.

We have gladly received the confession of your Dilection, by which the holy synods are approved — among which, by the restoration of the constitutions of them all, you have proclaimed the Council of Chalcedon — and, desiring to be joined to the number of Catholics, you assert that the name of the holy Pope Leo is written in the diptychs. These things are to be praised, if the affection for perfection follow; for to receive the Council of Chalcedon and to follow the letters of holy Leo, and yet still to defend the name of Acacius, this is to lay claim to things at variance among themselves. Who, condemning Dioscorus and Eutyches, could show Acacius innocent? Who, avoiding Timothy and Peter of Alexandria, and the other Peter of Antioch, and...

...their followers, as we have said, and yet not abhor Acacius, who followed their communion? Concerning your Charity, indeed, we look for better things by the help of Almighty God, having the hope of the best of promises. As you have directed to us the things wherein you stand, thinking with yourself in the truth and defending it, hoping in that judgement to be able through the same to be saved. After these things, what remains but that you follow also, without trepidation, the judgements of the apostolic see, whose faith you say you embrace? Therefore, show through yourself to the Eastern parts an example for them to follow, that the praise of all who shall have been corrected may be credited to your labours.

Therefore, since you announce great things and signify that you embrace the faith of the blessed apostle Peter, rightly believing that in it our salvation can subsist, send to us the libellus, whose contents are annexed below, subscribed by your Charity, that without dread of conscience we may be able to have one communion, as we pray. For the person also of our son Gratus, the honourable man, we render thanks without ceasing to our God, whose faith and right belief has stirred up our affection toward him: worthy indeed to undertake the care of so great a business and to bring the mandates of the greatest prince to us. (146.) A COPY OF THE REPORT OF JOHN, BISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE.

TO MY LORD, AND IN ALL THINGS LOVER OF GOD, MOST HOLY BROTHER AND FELLOW-MINISTER HORMISDAS, JOHN, IN THE LORD, GREETING. I salute your Holiness, most dear brother in Christ, and in saluting I proclaim that the right faith is safe and the charity of brotherhood is confirmed. This God alone, the mighty one, willed to be done through the zeal of Christians and of most pious emperors. Deign, therefore, to write apostolically and to receive rescripts fraternally, in the love of God.

For I, holding by unsearchable reason the doctrine of the holy apostles according to the tradition of the holy Fathers, likewise offer honour to the consubstantial and in all things holy Trinity, even as the assembly of the three hundred and eighteen at Nicaea promulgated, and the gathering of the one hundred and fifty at Constantinople confirmed, and the concourse of the two hundred at Ephesus confirmed, and the Catholic assembly at Chalcedon sealed. Guarding, therefore, this faith unto the last breath through His graces, with spiritual embraces I embrace in my soul both your Holiness and the orthodox churches, thinking with you in the truth and, together with you, hoping in that day to be saved through this faith, by the good will of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

For to the consubstantial Trinity all glory is owed, now and unto the ages of ages. All the brotherhood in Christ that is with your Holiness, I and those who are with me most greatly salute in the Lord. — Only to give satisfaction have we written, that both the venerable name of Leo of holy memory, once made archbishop of the city of Rome, may for the sake of concord be affixed in the sacred diptychs at the time of consecration, and that your blessed name likewise may be proclaimed in the diptychs.

And that in all things satisfaction may be made to your Holiness — since we embrace your peace and take care for the unity of the holy churches of God — we ask you to appoint peace-bringing men, worthy also of your apostolic see, who ought to give satisfaction and to receive our satisfaction, that in this part also Christ our God may be glorified, who through you has preserved this peace for the world. Received on the thirteenth day before the Kalends of January, after the consulship of Agapitus. (147.) A COPY OF THE LETTER OF JUSTINIAN. The longed-for time, which with the highest vows we desired, the divine clemency, regarding the sorrows of the human race, has deigned to bestow, wherein all Catholics and those perfectly faithful to God may be able to commend themselves to His Majesty.

Therefore I have directed these letters to your Apostolate with the free liberty now granted to me by the heavenly benefit. For our Lord the most invincible emperor, ever embracing the orthodox religion with most ardent faith and desiring to recall the most sacred churches to concord, having lately obtained by heavenly judgement the imperial insignia, gave notice to the priests placed here that the churches should be united according to the apostolic rules. And a great part indeed of the faith has been composed, God being the author; only concerning the name of Acacius it befits your Beatitude to begin to work out the consensus.

For which cause our Lord the most serene prince has sent Gratus, a sublime man, a friend of one mind with me, with the august pages to your Holiness, that you may in all ways deign to come to Constantinople for arranging the remaining matters of concord. But we await your coming without any delay; and if any tardiness — which ought not to happen — should perchance detain it, meanwhile let your Holiness at least hasten to appoint suitable priests, for the whole world of our parts, turned to unity, endures no delays. Hasten, therefore, most holy lords, lest, you being absent, those things be ordained which ought to be ordained in the presence of the proper persons.

For we know the letters of your Beatitude and of your predecessors directed to the East, what they contain upon this same cause. And that nothing may be omitted, on account of the cause so often mentioned, the business of religion also has been enjoined upon your son, the sublime man Gratus, to bear it to the most invincible king, our Lord Jesus Christ favouring. (148.) HORMISDAS TO JUSTINIAN. The series of your letters, the aid of religion prevailing, being received with the congratulation of a most-longed-for devotion, we have rendered thanks to the Divinity, because you have given proof that what we could only have exhorted is easily done by you. Hence it is that, since of your own accord you desire praiseworthy things, worthily have the pedigrees of your race come to the summit of princely rule.

Wherefore press on, and with religious liveliness of spirit bend your minds to this: that, even as for the beginning of good will your race deserved the height of empire, so from its perfection there may be for you, in eternity, the glory of a triumph. See with what desire of peace the world, long mocked, yearns for its joys; behold the minds of the whole community lifted up, by the assurance of your benefit, with the sure hope of quiet! There is no cause for doubt to insinuate itself; there is no cause for any ambiguity to come near, since you testify — what we too indeed well know — that the vows of a religious prince tend toward the concord of the churches.

Wherefore, giving thanks to so great a magnanimity, with as earnest a petition as we can we beseech that the name of Acacius, with his followers — which hinders the joy of the full unity of the churches — may be removed by an order of condemnation. For we, suiting ourselves to the quality of the cause, have sent legates, in whose presence the beginning of joy which you have given may be fulfilled according to what is contained in the mandates. (149.) HORMISDAS TO JUSTIN AUGUSTUS, BY THE BISHOPS GERMANUS AND JOHN, THE DEACONS FELIX AND DIOSCORUS, AND THE PRESBYTER BLANDUS.

To such a degree, by the grace of the Divinity, is the fame of your glory known to be spread abroad, and so, by the merit of your life supporting it, has it laudably befallen you to become known to the world — the report of most approved men bruiting it about — that it is rather believed the summit of empire has been enlarged through you, than that anyone should say you are made known through the empire. It is certain, indeed, that by an advancement of this kind an increase of adornment has accrued to your former splendour; but you held the principate long ago by your character. Thus, when a greatness impatient of concealment has spread you through the mouths of the nations, to us also — even as the mystical scriptures are read — the odour of your sweetness has come by its testimonies.

And certainly, since the institutions of your religious life have been dispersed far and wide by the verdict of prudent men, we could not have unknown to us whatever had been spread abroad concerning us by the world's attestation; for as things worthy of but modest praise cannot claim for themselves boundless heraldings, so whatever has been adorned with the merit of admiration is swept without end into the people's mouth. For greatness claims for itself, by the right of its own magnitude, the testimonies of fame, since wondrous things know not how to lie hidden. Hence it is that public rights have committed to you, together with the principate, its glories.

For, since the vows of the whole community have become the insignia of your merits, no one will stand forth so unjust an arbiter of affairs as to reckon that you have taken up the titles of illustrious rule at random, since it cannot be denied that you have worthily deserved the empire, whose probity the world has acknowledged. But it is a small thing, though by the judgement of the universe, to receive the rights of reigning in place of a reward; that is the more admirable: that the empire receives you, thus fashioned by the praiseworthiness of men, in such wise that the judgements are divine. There is no doubt that you were chosen, by the venerable predestination of the Divinity, for the adornments of so great a power — you whom the proofs of a sincere faith encompass. Truly we may say the words of the prophetic Spirit befit us: 'Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.'

To this glory, the incomprehensible disposition of the supernal Majesty procuring it, the obedience of nature brought you forth to the world; the probity of a life passed under the guardianship of faith formed you, and the divine clemency conveyed you to the empire — for this reason, namely: that at length, at some appointed time, the dividers of the Lord's body being restrained by the exercise of your faith, the concord of the churches might cut away the diabolical impediments, and the whole world rejoice at the reuniting. This office is enjoined from heaven specially upon your religion, upon your faith, upon your serenity, to whom we see it granted both to be able to do all things and to accomplish them. Therefore, as you have begun to do, perform the duty of the undertaken work, which you see enjoined upon you by supernal providence.

And truly it was fitting thus, that through the prince the peace should be made which the reverence of the Divinity demands: give these offerings of the empire you have assumed to our God, that through you the fruit of peace may be fulfilled. Without doubt, whatever by such a deed shall have been rendered to your soul is judged to have been expended by you upon the world. It is a great and inestimable thing, venerable emperor, for the sake of which you have been called by the judgement of the Divinity. Behold, the vows of those who desire peace are stretched out; through the drawing-out of long time the indivisible communion of the churches mourns, being torn asunder; not without groaning does the brotherhood disagree, when concerning the dogmas of the Fathers the will is at variance. Gird, therefore, your loins with the strength of faith;

See to what King the Divinity would have you render obedience, how great it is which He procures to be fulfilled through you: the body of the venerable Church, which our Christ founded by His own passion, He has appointed to be united to your glory by your deeds. There is nothing whereby the majesty of the supernal grace may shine forth about you more than if the body of the Church — fashioned by the redemption of the Lord's blood — be repaired through your office. This cause has, indeed, a most ancient calamity, but, for the enormity of it, a most recent grief, and a groaning so much the stronger to Christian minds as it has been prolonged through the times.

It must be seen by you in how great a measure the madness of the ancient enemy daily grows hot, since — although the cause was long ago decided by a final sentence — he makes delay for peace, and, although the Council of Chalcedon and the constitutions of blessed Pope Leo are approved (to which love we wish them to return), he does not desist from strife. They cleave to the things bound up with the aforesaid dogmas, and from the followers of those men — whom they understand to have been condemned by the aforesaid authority — they do not withdraw. They still hold in their embraces the name of Acacius, whom they see to have deservedly undergone the punishment of the condemned by the judgement of the apostolic see. Who does not perceive that it is said feignedly: 'We follow the dogmas of the holy Fathers, but we do not love their deeds';

'the things which were established by the holy Council of Chalcedon, and which the letter of blessed Leo contains, we cherish, we venerate, we embrace; but to Acacius, who followed the communion of the condemned, we devote our vows'? But what need is there to make words about matters already judged, when it befits us only to exhort — that, the aforesaid dissimulation being removed, those by whom these things are said ought in all purity to desire peace? With you rests the whole cause of my entreaty, excellent emperor: do you resist these and such things by the liveliness of religious work; upon you it presses, that you who in your private life had the desire of ecclesiastical concord should, under the principate, give it effect.

There was nothing by which the sum of your grace could be more increased than that it was granted you from on high that what you have always wished to be done might, through you, be brought to its conclusion; nor was it a slight token of divine grace that shone forth upon you, to whom it is granted to be able to accomplish what you have always desired. Wherefore, since you see that the honor of so great a cause has been reserved for you, remove whatever is believed to have remained doubtful, that your joys may be complete. For we, with the affection that was fitting, through Gratus...

—to whom, on account of his moderation, we judged the office of legation fittingly to be entrusted—upon receiving the letters of your Principality, we have dispatched men suited to the magnitude of the cause: the bishops Germanus and Iohannes, the presbyter Blandus, and likewise the deacon Felix; through whom, if, as we presume, the favor of your Serenity smiles upon us, the desires for the reunion of the Churches of the whole community may, according to what has been enjoined, be confirmed. (150.) HORMISDAS TO IOHANNES, BISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE.

We have indeed rendered, brother, a fitting reply to your letters under ecclesiastical liberty, and have clearly set forth both what we rejoiced to include therein and what we passed over in silence; and although the frequent legation now, and now the long-standing custom of your prolonged intercourse in the Church, may have imparted all these things to your understanding, it nevertheless helps to open our counsel yet more fully by repeated reasoning, because sound discourse concerning the firmness of the faith is made when the desire for reconciling peace is set forth in plain words. For your desires, by which you attest that you hasten toward ecclesiastical concord, that those parts might attain it, we have always wished; nor content with the mere ambition of prayers, we have even made use of supplications.

These things which we speak are confirmed by your testimony and by that of the world, that, in order that the restoration of catholic unity may come to pass, we submit our authority in the unimpaired integrity of the faith. May the divine mercy incline its ear to our prayers, so that what you believe must be sought, you may pursue and love when it is offered. For us there is one solicitude in the cause, one care: so to desire peace that the ordinances of religion and of the venerable Fathers be preserved; since it is fitting that those things which do not disagree among themselves in a harmonious belief should subsist by a like observance. But why do we delay longer? You yourself know what the cause of unity requires; you yourself know by what way you ought to come to the fellowship of the blessed Apostle Peter.

You have the guide of your journey, whom you now declare that you follow: the assembly held at Chalcedon for the sake of religion. Now also the doctrine of the blessed Leo, returning, will accompany you, since you have testified that you likewise embrace it. If these things please you, let not the defense of the condemned Acacius please you: this is what suspends the vows of good zeal from their perfection. For those things were so arranged against the enemies of God and of His law by the congregation of the venerable Fathers, that whoever should follow them in communion, would even then incur the sentence passed in their own condemnation. These things, therefore, which we steadfastly carry out are not new, but we preserve the judgments made in those times by the just ordinance of the Fathers.

We exhort you therefore, brother, and with the help of the mercy of our God we knock at your mind, that, separating yourself from all contagion of the heretics by condemning Acacius together with his followers, you may be fed together with us by participation in the Lord's Body. If you preach all things together with us, why do you not condemn all things together with us? For then you embrace with us the things we venerate, if you have shuddered with us at the things we detest. Whole peace knows not how to admit any distance, and the peace of the one God cannot be true except in the unity of the worship of confession.

Wherefore, greeting you with the affection of brotherly charity, we signify that your petition has been fulfilled through the most religious men sent, as you hoped: the bishops Germanus and Iohannes, the deacon Felix, the deacon Dioscorus, and the presbyter Blandus. But with what instructions they have been furnished, you will clearly recognize before their allegations, if you consider. These men will receive your peace under that profession which we have often written back. Fulfill therefore, dearest brother, our joy and yours, and send back to us through them the proclamation of your right faith, that through you an example may be given to all. (151.) HORMISDAS TO IOHANNES, BISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE.

Those things which your Charity signified in the letters sent, we have recognized, and we rejoice that the tokens of your faith have reached our conscience, desiring that our God may deign to grant full effect, in regard to ecclesiastical peace, to your intention, which we wish to be right. The hope of this we have taken up in our soul from the supernal Majesty, because we judge that the most serene Emperor has been chosen for this by divine Providence, that through him the reintegration of the Churches, so long desired throughout these times, may come to pass.

Wherefore, although the things which are to be done for the unity of the faith cannot be hidden from the knowledge of your Charity, we have nevertheless directed legates, as the reason of the cause demanded, so that by their exhorting, both the things long since signified by us and those recently repeated may come to effect, by the authorship of our Lord. (152.) HORMISDAS TO CELER AND PATRICIUS, LIKEWISE. Although, in consideration of our office, we can by no means keep silent about the cause of the catholic faith, nevertheless the most serene Prince has greatly incited our zeal toward this side by his directed addresses, and for his sake we have directed legates in accordance with his will.

And because a cause of this kind ought to be assisted by the help of the sons of the Church, greeting you with fitting reverence and honor, we ask that, for the sake of ecclesiastical peace, you assist the allegations of those who have been sent, before the minds of the most serene Prince. Since no small reward attends the labor of your Highness, when you shall have made us pay thanks to almighty God for your works. (153.) HORMISDAS TO THE PRAETORIAN PREFECT OF THESSALONICA AND THE OTHER ILLUSTRIOUS MEN, LIKEWISE.

Although our solicitude has never ceased on behalf of the ecclesiastical cause, nevertheless, more readily incited by the sacred addresses of the most serene Emperor, we have directed legates with the favor of heavenly mercy, that by their service the good things which we presume concerning the mind of the Prince may be fulfilled. And therefore, greeting your Magnitude with the reverence and honor which is due, we ask that you lend your zeal for the reintegration of the faith, and not permit the vows of so many of the faithful to be delayed for such long times, because there is no doubt that your Highness will acquire the fruit of so great praise, if through you the things which are desired by all good men may come to pass, by the working of the mercy of our God. (154.) HORMISDAS TO IUSTINIANUS, THE ILLUSTRIOUS.

We have received with love the letters of your Magnitude, full of holy faith, in which you announced that an opportunity has come to us from on high for exercising among you the firmness of apostolic preaching. Whence we insufficiently give thanks to our Lord, who has given you both the time and the resolve for such illustrious remedies. And we indeed recognize that these things are ordained from above, since the divine Majesty conferred empire upon him who judges that he has been ordained for the composing of the peace of the Churches. It remains, therefore, that all the bishops of the Eastern part, according to the tenor of the libellus, may testify that they have come to the effect of correction. The way of venerable concord lies open; the remedies of the desired soundness have been marked out: