CHAP. I. — The offices which pertain to the congratulation of your empire having been discharged, I have added also this page of necessary supplication, by which I ask the divinely prepared protection of your favor for the catholic faith. For I have learned, by the report of my brother and fellow-bishop Anatolius, that such things have been perpetrated in the Church of Alexandria, that the whole Christian religion feels itself assailed and violated, unless in general provision be made by the devotion of your faith, and to the aforesaid Church, which formerly was renowned for its catholic rulers, Christian liberty be restored; and, the assaults of the heretics ceasing, the evangelical doctrine which flourished there before Dioscorus be repaired, united with the peace of the whole Church.
Which work, befitting your virtues and glory, will have a swift and God-pleasing effect, if you permit the things established concerning the incarnation of the Lord Christ at the holy Council of Chalcedon to be assailed by no retraction: because in that council, gathered together through the Holy Spirit, all things were confirmed by definitions so full and perfect, that nothing can be either added to or diminished from that rule which was brought forth by divine inspiration, most glorious Emperor. CHAP.
II. — But this also we do not doubt to be evident even to the knowledge of your Clemency: since, as we have learned before by the report of many, the machinations of the heretics, which were endeavoring to rise up against the authority of the aforesaid synod, you have permitted to dare nothing on this account. Wherefore, what you saw must of your own accord be denied to them, it is glorious for you to grant to the universal Church at my supplication, and unchangeably and perpetually to guarantee that those things which, according to the Gospel of Christ and the truth of the apostolic preaching, have in all past ages been strengthened by one faith and one understanding, may henceforth be able to be torn asunder by no action.
As therefore the mercy of God, by the counsel of His Spirit, shall have instructed the mind of your Piety, take counsel first for the restoration of peace to the holy Alexandrian Church, and command that, through catholic priests, such a pontiff be provided, in whom nothing reprehensible can be found either in probity of deeds or in the profession of the faith: so that, all things being duly composed, the same preaching of the truth may everywhere be preserved. Given on the fifth day before the Ides of July, Constantine and Rufus, most illustrious men, being consuls.