Letter 197: Part of the papal correspondence surrounding the Acacian Schism (484-519), the major breach between Rome and...

[Editorial heading:] September. Of Hormisdas the pope, to Elias, Thomas, and Nicostratus. He indicated that he had written to the emperor, the Augusta, Justinian, and Germanus on their behalf. Hormisdas, to the bishops Elias, Thomas, and Nicostratus. How greatly our mind is worn down by sharing in your grief, it is superfluous to establish in words among those who acknowledge our mutual love; but may he who, as the foreknowing searcher, looks upon both our spirit and your labors, turn our sorrow into joy by your prosperity. But that never, on behalf of your business, under a most just plea and [...] [Editorial footnote 1:] Elsewhere, "let us make haste" (festinemus). In place of this word, "we endure" (sustinemus) ought to be restored; among other things, these words of Hormisdas, Epistle 103, section 3, spoken to the legates concerning the same monks, persuade us of this: "who, since they were unwilling to endure the arrival of your beloved person." From which words we learn besides that those who had at first assented to the ordinance and counsel of Hormisdas afterward opposed the same. [Editorial footnote 2:] Namely those [letters] which he had sent through Eulogius the magistrian, that is, Epistle 78, by which Justinian was demanding that Hormisdas should order the Scythian monks, struck with a fitting correction, to be driven out. Wherefore that recent matter, not [referring to] a long time preceding the past time, but simply signifying that which was before. Perhaps the prudent pope used this manner of speaking, in order in some way to conceal the sudden change of the opinion which Justinian had brought forward concerning the Scythian monks. Yet he silently notes his inconstancy, and gives the reason why he does not dismiss those monks. [Letter body resumes:] [Editorial reference: Epistles 91-93. 889] ...the bearer may be presented as much to the emperor as to the other persons whom we have designated (year 519) above. .

^2Septt Uormisdao papae ad Eliam, Thomam ei Nicastratum. Se pro eorum causa ad imperatorem, Augustam, Justinianum et Germamtm scripsitie p. U significiit. Ilormisda Eliae, Thomae et Nicostrato episcopis. Quanto mens nostra doloris vestri participatione fatigetur, super- vacuiun est apud probantes mutuam caritiitem verbis adstruere: sed ille, qui et nostrum animum et vestros labores scrutator praescius iutuetur, moerorem nostrmn vestra in gaudium prosperitate convertat Verum ne unquam pro vestro negotio sub allegatione justissima et ') Al. festinemus. Hi^jus verbi loco sustinemus restitaeudum eese, inter alia pcrsiiadent haec Hormisiiae epist. 103 n. 3 ad legatos de iisdcm monacbid dicta: qui qnum nollent susiinere vestrae dilectionis adventum, Quibus ex verbis praoterea discimus, eos qui Hormisdao ordinationi atque consilio primom aaBenserant» cidom postea refragatos esse. ') lis vidclicot, quas pcr Eulogium magistrianum destinarat, hoc est epi- Btola 78, qua ut Hormisda Scythas monachos digna correctione percuUos peUert juberet, Justinianus postuhibat. Quocirca proximum illud praeterito temporemm longum tempus anteccdcns, scd simpliciter id quod an/^a sonat. Forte pradens papa hac usus est loquendi ratione, ut seutentiae, quam Justiuianus drcaScj- thas monachos tulcrat, subitam mutationem quodammodo tog^ret. Tadte tamcn notat inconstantiam ojus, et cur monachos illos non dimittat. rationem reddit. EPISTOLAE 91 — 93. 889 latorem tam principi porrigantur quam ceteris, quas designavimus (a. 519.) supra^ persouis. .