Letter 233: Part of the papal correspondence surrounding the Acacian Schism (484-519), the major breach between Rome and...

Pope Hormisdas to the Emperor Justin. [Summary heading:] That he had never doubted the faithfulness of his promises. Hormisdas to Justin Augustus. Blessed be the Trinity, our God, who has entrusted to you the helm of the empire of this world, to whom reverence is owed not only by the right of sovereignty, but also for the modesty and integrity of a glorious purpose. For we truly glorify God when we have read the writings of your piety, by which, in excusing the delay of the promised embassy on account of the infirmity of him who was to have been sent, you have made it clearer than light what care you have for faith and for honor; showing that, for those who govern the highest affairs of the world, the power which they hold is not enough for the summit of dominion, unless the ornaments of character render the princedom more precious. May our God, most merciful emperor, preserve toward you his benefits, and, looking upon your good deeds, bestow eternal rewards! Nor, however, did any suspicion gnaw at us, nor did we believe that the slowness in fulfilling the promise had come about from any change of resolve. For it would have been a sin to be troubled by any anxiety concerning his words, whose faithfulness in great matters has been granted to be recognized so evidently. Therefore, upon the return of our son, the distinguished man Eulogius, tribune and notary [secretary], we discharge the homage of the salutation that is owed, beseeching the great God with continual prayers, that he who by your zeal has healed the wounds inflicted through the faithless may, with your lifetime extended over a longer span, also make the restored unity of the Church secure on every side. Given on the fourth day before the Calends of November [October 29], in the consulship of Rusticus, most illustrious man.

Hormisdae papae ad Justinani imperatorem. De fide promissorum ejus nunquam se dubitasse sigm/kaU Hormisda:^) Justino Augusto. Benedicta Trinitas Deus noster^ qui vobis gubemacula commisit mundani imperii, quibus non solum pro jure regni yeneratio debe- retur^ verum etiam pro gloriosi modestia et integritate propositi. cp. 126. Vere enim glorificamus Deum, lectis vestrae pietatis apicibus^, qoi- bus promissae legationis moram pro infirmitate ejus^ qui dirigendns fueraty excusando luce clarius reddidistis^ quam curam fidei et pudo- ris haberetiS; ostendentes, rerum summam regentibus non sufficere ad dominationis apicem quam obtinent potestatem^ nisi omamenta morum pretiosiorem faciant principatum. Servet circa vos, clejnen- tissime imperator^ Deus noster beneficia sua^ et respiciens bona vestra^ largiatur aetema! Nec nos tamen momordit ulla suspicio, aut implendi tarditatem promissi de^) mutatione credidimus evenisse consilii. Nefas enim erat de ejus verbis qualibet sollicitudine dubi- tari; cujus fidem in magnis rebus datum est tam evidenter agnosci. Redeunte igitur filio nostro spectabili viro Eulogio tribuno et notario. cultum debitae salutationis exsolvimus^ Deo magno continuis preci- bus supplicantes, ut qui vestro studio per infideles vulnera impacta curavit, aevo vobis per longiora tempora propagato^ unitatem Ecde- siae redditam ex omni quoque faciat parte securam. Data lY Ca- lendas Novembris, Rustico viro clarissimo consule.