Letter 246: Part of the papal correspondence surrounding the Acacian Schism (484-519), the major breach between Rome and...

[Editorial heading:] Likewise, the report of Epiphanius, bishop of Constantinople. [He] praises Paulinus the defender [defensor, an ecclesiastical advocate], and indicates that he himself has done everything in the restoration of the churches in accordance with the judgment of Hormisdas, but that there is need of a gentle handling [of matters]. To my lord, in all things beloved of God and most holy brother and fellow-minister Hormisdas, Epiphanius sends greeting in the Lord. The venerable defender Paulinus, who carried back your letter [cf. letter 144] and who shows in himself the virtues of your holiness, having associated with us joyfully, has brought his diligence to bear upon our common counsels and actions. But since it was not fitting that he, hastening to you, should be delayed for a more extended time, therefore, addressing your holiness in turn, we commend the aforesaid man, that he be protected, and being one worthy of your love, a faithful servant in attendance. Moreover, he will be a reporter worthy of credit to you concerning these things which have been done by us according to your wish, and concerning the watchful care which we exercise over the holy churches. For we [...] [Editorial note:] ...were returned to Constantinople in the month of May, indeed that nothing had yet been ascertained there about their setting out from the City [Rome]. [Letter resumes; marginal date: year 521:] ...by the prayers of your holiness, and looking to the natural goodness of this matter, having a most vigilant zeal, and (with God cooperating) the word of grace running through very many [places] without any obstruction, [he] brings our purpose to its effect. But because certain difficulties have arisen, the things which are stirred up here ought, by governance indeed and by gentle disposition, to be set forth fittingly, as your holiness too knows above all others: and [we know] in what manner it behooves those who have been allotted to feed the flocks of God to both do and set in motion all things to the glory of God, having their hope of salvation in Him, and as it is written: "To them that love God all things work together for good." For we strive both to be of the same mind and to do those things which please you, as has been said, most holy one. All the brotherhood in Christ which is with your holiness, I also and my [people] greet abundantly. [Editorial footnotes:] (1) G has "who [is] venerable"; a has "of your [holiness]"; b and c have "of your see." In the foregoing letters 73, 89, and 105, Paulinus is consistently called defender of the Roman church. (2) Reading of G; the edition has "virtue" [singular]. And we would prefer "therefore" [in place of "and therefore"]. (3) As being a faithful servant of yours. Justinian does not disdain to call this man eminent in letter 89. The edition has "our."

seu Relatio episcopi Epiphanii Constantinopolitani. ^*^JulV" Paniiniwi defenHorem laudat^ scque in ecclesiarum redintcyralione omnia ea: tior- misdae sententia gessisse, sed miti disposiiione opns esse significat. Domino meo per omnia amabili Deo sanctissimo- que fratri et comministratori Hormisdae Epi- phanius in Domino salutem. Paulinus venerabilis *) defensor, qui vestram retulit epistolajii, op. 144. vestraeque sanctitatis virtutes*) in se ostendens, cum gaudio nobis- cum conversatus, suam sollicitudinem coiimmnibus consiliis actibusque contulit. 8ed quoniam ad vos festinantem non opoi*tebat eum pro- lixiore tompore remorari, ideoque reciprocis alloquentes vestram saii- ctitatem, protegi praefatum virum et vestri'*) digimm amoris fidelem servum subsistentera commeudanms. Erit autem de his, quae a nobis gesta sunt pro vestro animo, et circa sanctas ecclesias solHcitudine quam gerinms vigilare, nobis dignus fide euarrator*). Nam nos Majo Constantinopolim fuisse regressos, inimo nihildum ibi de eorum pro- rectione al> Urbe fuisse compertum. 147 ') G* »6, quod CBivenerabilis. a* vcstrac, b cc vcstrftc sedis. In superioribus opistolis 73, 89 et 105 Paulinus Homanac dcfcjt.sor ccrlesifie constanter appellatiir. '^) Wii G'. Ed. virlutem. Moxque mallemus idco (loco idcof/ue). •') Ceu ntpotc fiddcm scrvum vestrum. llunc virum suldimem appollaro Junti- nianuB epist. 89 non dediguatur. - Kd. nostri. (a. 521. oratioiiibiis vestnie sanctitatis , et^) naturalem bonitatem hiijus rei respicientes, vigilantissimum habentem studimu, et Deo cooperante in phirimis verbuni gratiae discurrens sine aliqua obsistentia ad ef- fectum nostram ducit intentionem. Sed quia difHeuItat^s «iliquae ac- cesserunt, gubenicitione utique et miti dispositioue ea, quae hic moventur, oportet^) comi^etenter exponi, sicut et vestra cognoscit 8Ui)er onmia sanctitas: et quemadmodum oportet eos, qui Dei gre- ges pascere sortiti sunt, universa ad gloriam Dei et agere et niohri, lf?/g* spem salutis in eum habentes, et sicut scriptum est: DiligenUbus Jkm omnia cooperantitr in bonvm. Ea enim, quae vobis phiceant, siout dictum est, sentire quoque et agere nitimur, sanctissime. Omnem in Uliristo fraternitatem, quae cum vestra est sanctitate, ego quoque et mei i^lurimum salutamus.