Letter 157: Part of the papal correspondence surrounding the Acacian Schism (484-519), the major breach between Rome and...

Having read the text of your letters, rich with the power of devotion and religion, we have learned the beginnings of your good will, and we praise them. For these initial fruits of your purpose please God, who knows the secrets of hearts. We ask, therefore, that the name of Acacius [patriarch of Constantinople, whose communion with heretics caused the Acacian Schism], together with his followers, be removed from the diptychs [liturgical registers], as the rules of the fathers require and the peace of the churches demands. For this is the one obstacle that impedes the unity which all desire. With this removed, the way to full concord lies open, and the joy of restored communion can be complete. We indicate also that we have sent legates, through whom all things necessary for the restoration of unity may be accomplished.

Hormisdae papae ad Jostiniannm comitem. (a. 5i9in. Jan.) Laudato Ulius bonae volunialis initio rogaty ut Acacii cum seguacibus nomen re- moveatur. Denique missos a se legatos indicat. Hormisda episcopus Justiniano*). Litterarum vestrarum serie religionis ope pollente devotionis ') b civitate, rejecto ad oram de caritate, quod sane praeferendum. 48 ') Ita G^ Ed. add. Augusto, Ao vero Augusti nomen Justiniano tum non Qongruebat. (a. 519.) op^^^issima gi-atulatione suscepta, gratias Diviiiitati retulimus, quia dedistis indicium, facile a vobis fieri quod potuissemus bortari. Hinc est, quod quia sponte laudabilia cupitis, digne ad principatos api- cem generis*) vestri stemmata pervenerunt. Quapropter insistite et religiosae vivacitatis animis imminete, ut quemadmodum pro bonae voluntatis initio genus vestrum meruit culmen imperii, in aetema vobis de perfectione gloria sint triumphi. Videte, quo desiderio pacis^) gaudia ludificatus diu mundus exoret: respicite, generalita- tis animos vestri praesumptione beneficii certa spe quietis attoUL Non est quod se dubietas inserat, non est quod «iliquid ambigoitatis accedat, quum testamini, quod et nos quidem bene novimaSy acce- dere ad ecclesiarum concordiam religiosi principis vota. Quapropter tantae magnanimitati gratias agentes, quanta possumus petitione deprecamur, ut Acacii nomen cum sequacibus suis, quod plene uni- tatis ecclesiarum impedit gaudium, damnationis ordine sit remotum. Nos enim convenientes causae qualitati direximus legatos, quibns praesentibus initium, quod dedistis, gaudii possit secundum quae mandatis continentur impleri.