Letter 146: Part of the papal correspondence surrounding the Acacian Schism (484-519), the major breach between Rome and...

Hormisdas to Anastasius Augustus, through the bishops Ennodius and Peregrinus. When I consider the depth of your wisdom, most merciful emperor, I do not suppose that those who look to their own salvation are displeasing to you. For neither divine admonitions nor human institutions hold that one who takes counsel for good hope ought to be blamed with any reproach: especially since your piety too professes that it burns with affection for unity and peace. This matter, both on account of my confidence in your conscience and on account of the office of the stewardship likewise entrusted to me, has compelled me not to neglect the business now arising. John, my brother and fellow bishop, prelate of the city of Nicopolis, following the example of his predecessor Alcyson of holy memory, sought communion with the blessed apostle Peter together with his synod, having condemned those whom the Church detests. He is now harried by grievous plots. I beseech your gentleness: oppose those who are contriving wicked things, and remove the annoyances, and cherish the one who has been corrected, on whom one ought to have pressed that he should correct [himself]. For those who have delayed will know that they will be held guilty, when they see those now returned being cherished by you. I confess, most merciful emperor, that I wonder at the obstinacy of those laying snares, who are moved neither by regard for God nor by regard for you. For those who hate in a man the zeal of good desire pursue that which they suppose is being judged concerning themselves. Brought back to what is right, they are rightly to be blamed if they do not turn back those who go astray. Consider that clear proofs of the faith pledged to you are produced, if you have been present to those brought back to unity, with all exhortation.

a.5i7d. Horitiisdae papac ad Anastasinm Augustum. l/l Jokannem Nicopolitanum a molestiU infestantiwn tueatur, rogat. Hormisda Anastasio Augusto per Ennodium et Peregrinum episcopos. Dum sapientiae vestrae, clementissime imperator, profunda con- sidero, providentes saluti propriae vobis displicere non aestimo. Neque enim aut divina mouita aut humana continent instituta, nt qui consulit bonae spei, qualibet debeat reprehensione eulpari : quum maxime pietas quoque vestra affectu se unitatis et pacis flagrare fateatur. Quae res me quoque vel pro fiducia conscientiae vesfrae vel pro creditae quoque mihi dispensationis officio, emergente com- pulit non supersedere negotio. Johannes frater et coepiscopus meas Nicopolitanae civitatis antistes, praedecessoris sui sanctae recordatio- nis Alcysonis secutus exemplum, beati Petri apostoli commumonem cum synodo sua, damuatis his, quos Ecclesia detestatur, expetiit. Is nunc gravibus fatigatur insidiis. Precor mansuetudinem vestram, iniqua molientibus obviate, et removete molestias, et correctum fovete, cui, ut corrigeret *), debuisset insisti. Scient enim qui tar daverint, se reos futuros, quum a vobis foveri viderint jam reversoi. Fateor, clementissime imperator, miror insidiantium pertinaciam neque Dei neque vestro intuitu permoveri. Nam qui odenmt in ') Ed. Serva . . . subsequentur . . . aposloHca sententia et omitt. affecdome, 37 *) Supple se. Sic et in aliis superiorum praesulum epistolis corrigentes pto se corrigentes non semel offendimus. Quocirca Baron. scbstitaens carr^erttat ab Hormisda potius littera quam mcnte discessit: sed in atioqae peccat, qood subjicit debuisset assistere. EPISTOLAE 36 — 38. 813 homine studium desiderii boni; quod de se aestimant judicari^ in-a. 517. sequuntur. Ad recta reduces jure culpandi, si non converterint deviantes. Datae^) fidei vestrae clara documenta, si aflfueritis ad xinitatem reductis, effici, omni adhortatione cogitetis.