Letter 174: We wish to inform your holiness that after reading and frequently discussing the letter brought from Egypt [Cyril's...
To Himerius, Bishop of Nicomedia,
We wish to inform your holiness that after reading and frequently discussing the letter brought from Egypt [Cyril's conciliatory letter], we find it in harmony with the doctrine of the Church. Of the Twelve Chapters, on the other hand, we have proven the contrary, and we continue to oppose them to this day.
We have therefore determined that if your holiness has recovered the churches divinely entrusted to you, you may communicate with the Egyptians and Constantinopolitans and the others who fought against us -- because they have professed to hold our faith, or rather I should say the faith of the apostles. But you must not give your consent to the alleged condemnation of the most holy and venerable Nestorius.
We consider it impious and unjust, in a case where both parties stood as defendants, to lavish favor on one and slam the door of repentance on the other. Far more unjust and impious is it to condemn an innocent man to death.
Your holiness should be assured: you must not communicate with them before you have recovered your churches. This is what not only I but all the holy bishops of our region decreed at our recent council.
Human translation — New Advent (NPNF / ANF series)
Related Letters
I could not read without tears the letter you wrote after your wife's death.
That my friendship and affection for the very reverend brother Hera began when I was quite a boy, and has, by God's grace, continued up to my old age, no one knows better than yourself. For the Lord granted me the affection of your excellency at about the same time that He allowed me to become acquainted with Hera. He now needs your patronage, a...
To the Master Vincomalus,
The priesthood is a sacred trust, not a career.
I gladly accept the accusation, though I have no trouble disproving it.