From: Hormisdas, Pope of Rome
To: The clergy, people, and orthodox monks of Constantinople
Date: ~517 AD (April 3)
Context: A bold letter directly addressing the pro-Chalcedonian faithful in Constantinople — over the heads of their own bishop, who was not in communion with Rome — urging them to hold fast to the faith of Chalcedon and Pope Leo.
Hormisdas to the clergy, people, and orthodox monks residing in Constantinople.
If the man who offers a cup of cold water in obedience to the Gospel receives his reward from the Lord who taught it, then surely the man who delays in announcing the truth to so great a people of the faithful will justly incur the punishment of condemnation. This is why — fleeing the threat of the divine command, which teaches that we must speak in matters pertaining to God and never be silent, and holding also a deep concern for your salvation — I have taken up the duty of addressing you on what the present crisis demands.
I call upon all of you who care to preserve the Christian religion with an unblemished faith: hold fast to the holy Council of Chalcedon and the teaching of the blessed Pope Leo on the faith. These are not optional positions. They are the bedrock.
Those who have departed from this foundation — by whatever name they call themselves — have departed from the truth. Do not follow them. Do not be deceived by titles or apparent authority. The faith that the apostles delivered, the councils confirmed, and the see of Peter guards is the only safe harbor. Stay in it.
HOSHISDA CLERO POPULO ET HONiCHIS ORTHODOXIS CONSTANTI-
NOPOLi coNSiSTENTiBus. Si is, qui calicem aquae frigidae mandata euangelica secutus optulerit, mercedem boni propositi ipso domino, qui haec docuit, restituente consequitur, nonne qui tanto populo fidelium ueritatem anuuntiare distulerit, iuste poenam damnationis incurrit? Iiinc est, quod interminationem 2 mandati caelestis effugiens, quod docet loquendum esse in his, quae ad deum pertinent, nec tacendum, habens quoque uestrae salutis affectum, admonitionem eorum, quae praesens necessitas poscit, adsumpsi, omnes, quibus cura est fide integra Ghristianam religionem seruare, contestans, ut eos, qui sanctam Chalcedonensem synodum et beati Leonis de fide catholica conscriptas epistolas declinant, quibus possunt uiribus auertantur et fugiant, quando ipsi sunt, qui Eutychetis et Dioscori Alexandrini uel potius nefanda Manichaeorum contagione polluti uerbo quidem aduersum constituta patrum uidentur habere certamen, rebus autem contra incarnationem domini nostri lesu Christi euidenter insurgunt. recordamini, 3 karissimi, quae fuerunt Basilisco palatinam arcem incubante temptata, et temporum illorum acta uel uisa alii uel audita;
9 Mattb. 10, 42 12 Act. 18, 9
3 adtestacio sublica F, corr. 4 cons. add, Car.
182. Dat (simul cum epp. 126, 128— ISl) a. 517 die 3 Apr. per Etmodium etc. Edd. Car. P 467; Bar. ad a. 517, 28; Collect. Concil; BTA I 402; Thiel 806. 6 horthodoxis V 11 quod Car.: quo F 12 esse p^: est V 15 curae 0* 16 constestans F, corr. 0 17 chalcendonensem V 19 auersentur Bar., auertant BuU. Taur. 24 pala- tinam archg F, correxi: palatinae aulae palatinae arci Car., palati- nam archen Thiel 25 alii del. Bar.
554
Hormisda Dorotheo Thessalonicensi
recolite, quam scelesta tunc fuerit Timothei cognomento Elluri, quam impudens et monstruosa <prae>sumptio, quantus etiam per uniuersum orbem fidei se uestrae feruor ostenderit.
4 probauit tunc Constantinopolitanus populus, quam pure deceat credentes Chiistiana seruare mysteria. sed transacta utinam studia fuissent et non nunc similia tempus expeteret! rursus enim idem haeretici caput improbum de profundo, quo im-
5 mersi tenebantur, attollunt. atque ideo rogo hortor admoneo dilectionem uestram: ab eorum uos conciliis et communione secernite, recordamini zeli prioris et uiuere in uobis lucem, scintillam ignis spiritalis ostendite, ne simplicem in uobis ueritatis aifectum perditorum astutia eipugnasse se gaudeat-
6 et haec quidem quantum ad praesentem necessitatem et adsumendam contra impios cautionem dixisse sufficiet. spero autem, quod si admonitio ista promouerit, et mihi et uobis utilis erit, quando et deus in uestra salute glorificabitur et fructus nostrae sollicitudinis apparebit. Data III. Nonas Apriles Agapito cons.
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From:Hormisdas, Pope of Rome
To:The clergy, people, and orthodox monks of Constantinople
Date:~517 AD (April 3)
Context:A bold letter directly addressing the pro-Chalcedonian faithful in Constantinople — over the heads of their own bishop, who was not in communion with Rome — urging them to hold fast to the faith of Chalcedon and Pope Leo.
Hormisdas to the clergy, people, and orthodox monks residing in Constantinople.
If the man who offers a cup of cold water in obedience to the Gospel receives his reward from the Lord who taught it, then surely the man who delays in announcing the truth to so great a people of the faithful will justly incur the punishment of condemnation. This is why — fleeing the threat of the divine command, which teaches that we must speak in matters pertaining to God and never be silent, and holding also a deep concern for your salvation — I have taken up the duty of addressing you on what the present crisis demands.
I call upon all of you who care to preserve the Christian religion with an unblemished faith: hold fast to the holy Council of Chalcedon and the teaching of the blessed Pope Leo on the faith. These are not optional positions. They are the bedrock.
Those who have departed from this foundation — by whatever name they call themselves — have departed from the truth. Do not follow them. Do not be deceived by titles or apparent authority. The faith that the apostles delivered, the councils confirmed, and the see of Peter guards is the only safe harbor. Stay in it.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.