Letter 4

From: Pope Felix III, bishop of Rome To: The clergy of Constantinople Date: ~484 AD Context: Felix writes to the clergy of Constantinople following the excommunication of Acacius, urging them to stand firm against their patriarch and to maintain communion with Rome. Felix, bishop of Rome, to the beloved clergy of the most holy church of Constantinople, greetings in the Lord. We write to you in the conviction that among the clergy of Constantinople there are many who know the faith, who have accepted Chalcedon in their hearts, and who have been troubled by their patriarch's course of action even when they felt unable to speak against it publicly. To those brothers, we say: the excommunication of Acacius changes nothing about our love for the church of Constantinople or our regard for the faithful clergy and laypeople of that great city. The separation that has been created is a separation between this apostolic see and a patriarch who has betrayed the faith; it is not a separation between Rome and the people of Constantinople. We urge you, therefore, not to interpret our action as hostility toward you. We act against Acacius because the truth demands it. We reach out to you because the same truth requires that you know we consider you our brothers. If there are among you those with the courage to resist Acacius openly, we honor their courage and commend them to God's protection. If there are those who cannot resist openly but who maintain the faith in their hearts, we pray that God will give them the opportunity to live that faith more fully in better times. Felix, bishop of Rome