Letter 107: Part of the papal correspondence surrounding the Acacian Schism (484-519), the major breach between Rome and...

We bless the Lord with the affection of brotherly charity, because we have learned not only through the synodal report that you have worthily attained the priesthood, but we confirm it by your deeds and character, and the rank of your merit has so revealed itself through its effects that we believed everything before the testimony of our brothers and fellow bishops. For what they promise that you are able to do by your character, we see that you have already fulfilled, and as though the grace of the peace that has been preserved had been kept in trust for your faith, so the desires for unity have been deferred until now. By divine predestination the name by which you are called has come to your charity, under whose spirit the concord appeared, so that we may say: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!" [Ps. 133:1]. Therefore, rendering the duties of greeting in Christ our Lord, we urge that the praiseworthy beginning of a good work may be continued by a laudable course, according to the holy gospel, by which we are admonished: "The one who endures to the end will be saved" [Matt. 10:22]. Exhort therefore the rest, invite them with admonitions, gather them with gentle persuasion, because the multiplied gains of the talent entrusted to you are divine sacrifices. Furthermore, we were most gratified to learn of the promotion of your charity through our brother and fellow bishop John, and also through Heraclianus the priest and Constantinus, our sons, as intermediaries — than which we think nothing can be sweeter — and since the aforesaid men praised you, though they would have done so even had it been merely out of respect for the duty they had undertaken, yet not without good reason, we are blessed of all in that the messenger of a worthy matter was a worthy reporter, so that the proof of honor through the merits of the legates may be most complete for you. And [...to the pope]: We received a jeweled golden chalice, a silver paten, another silver chalice, and two altar veils for the service of the basilica of the blessed apostle Peter, sent by your charity.

HORMISDA EPIPIIAMO EPISCOPO COXSTANTINOPOLITANO. Beue- dicimus dominum fraternae caritatis affectu, quia non solum synodica relatione ad sacerdotium te digne peruenisse cogno- uimus sed factis atque moribus comprobamus et ita se meriti tui gradus patefecit effectibus, ut ante fratrum et coepi- 2 scoporum nostrorum testimonium cuncta crederemus. quod enim illi te promittunt posse moribus agere, nos uidemus implesse et, tamquam fidei tuae seruata pacis fuerit gratia, sic unitatis hactenus dilata sunt uota. diuina eorum praede- stinatione caritati tuae uocabulum quo nuncuparis accessit, sub quo spiritu apparente concordiae factum est, ut dicamus: ecce quam bonum et quam iucundum habitare 3 fratres in unum! quapropter in Christo domino nostro reddentes officia salutationis hortamur, ut boni operis initiura laudabile continuet institutum secundum sanctum euangelium, quo monemur: qui perseuerauerit in fine, hic saluus erit. adhortamini igitur reliquos, inuitate monitis, coUigite blandimentis, quia talenti crediti multiplicata compendia 21 Psalm. 182, 1 25 Matth. 10, 22 1 aut cominunionis Thiel, et <alicnos a> communione Bar. 3 ad- a mittit V 6 ad om. ol, unde <in/ abscissos Car. 239, JDat. ut ep. 236. Edd. Car. P 551; Collect. Concil; BTA I 447; Thiel 965; commemorat Bar. ad a. 521^ 6. 16 posse moribus Thiel: possessoribus V, posse omnia Car. 18 eorum V: nimirum 20 concordia Car. Epist. CCXXXVIIII 2 — CCXXXX 2. 739 sacrificia sunt diuina. praeterea gratissime tulimiis, quod 4 lohanne fratre et coepiscopo nostro nec non Heracliano presbytero atque Constantino filiis nostris internuntiis promo- tionera caritatis tuae cognouimus, qua esse aliquid dulcius 5 non putamus, et cum te praedicti uiri, etsi pro obsequio suscepto facerent, non tamen ratione laudarent, boati omnium sumus, quod dignae rei nuntius relator dignus extabat, ut tibi absolutissime de legatorum meritis probatio sit honoris. et 5 XANU papae: Suscepimus calicem aureum gemmatum, patenam 10 argenteam et alium calicem argenteum et uela duo ministerio basilicae beati Petri apostoli profutura a caritate tua directa. Data VH. Kal. Apr. Ualerio cons.