Letter 213: Part of the papal correspondence surrounding the Acacian Schism (484-519), the major breach between Rome and...

Petition of Germanus the bishop, of Felix and Dioscorus the deacons, and of Blandus the priest. [Summary: that Dorotheus of Thessalonica had been brought to Heraclea until his case should be settled; that nevertheless the emperor had promised that the same man, together with Aristides, would be sent to Rome; but that they now learn that in the meantime he was suddenly released from Heraclea (no. 1). That concerning the coming Passover, to be celebrated on the 19th day of April, the Eastern Church is in agreement with the Roman (no. 2).] [...] 1. The reverend addresses of your apostleship, [delivered] through your sons Leo and Eulogius, we received with the joy we had longed for; the earlier of which (a. 520) reproached us, asking why we had not informed you of the things that happened at Thessalonica. But long before his arrival, taking the opportunity that presented itself, we took care to make known whatever we had learned, whether by the report of those who came, or by the writings of those who endured it, copies of which we have appended below, or by the account of the most pious prince. There followed a promise of redress: so much so that Dorotheus, bishop of Thessalonica, was conducted to the city of Heraclea, until his case should find its conclusion. Amid these matters, in accordance with what you instructed, we took care to convey to the prince the authority of your apostleship, that the aforesaid Dorotheus, together with Aristides, might be sent to Rome to receive the doctrine of catholic purity. He replied that there was no reason for which they should be directed to Rome to be heard, where, without the dispute of accusers, they could more freely excuse themselves. But suddenly, while these things were being carried on, he was, as far as we have learned, released from the city of Heraclea, in which he was being held; for what cause, or by what reasoning or on what condition, or through whose agency, we do not know. 2. Concerning the Paschal day, let your beatitude know that the judgment of the Easterners is in agreement with the apostolic see, namely that the festival is hoped to be celebrated on the thirteenth day before the Kalends of May, as will also be made clear by the report of John, the prelate of Constantinople. It remains that, by the support of your beatitude's prayer, we may swiftly, as we desire, be found worthy to be presented at your footsteps.

BCU l9Js^ ) Suggestio Germani episcopi, Felicis et Dioscori diaoonorum et Blandi presbyteri. Dorotheum Thessalonicensem Heracleam fuisse perductum, donec causa ejus /tni- retur; ut tamen idem cum Aristide Romam mitteretur , ^ imperatorem remdsse, immo interea illum Heraclea repente dimissum modo accipiunt (n. 1). De proximo Paschate die 19 Aprilis celehrando Orientalem ecclesiam cum Romana constn- tire (n. 2). 1. Reverenda vestri apostolatus alloquia^) per fihos vestros Leo- Inslantem Dominicae pnssionis diem recte celebrari XI II Calendas Majas, Cui in- telligentiae favent veteres , qui Pascha a passione derivaut. Quia tamen Tenzm ost, eum qui in die Paschac non fallitur, neque in Dominicae pasaionis desig* nanda errare, nihil vetaret, quominus Doininicae passionis diem etiam secnii- dum proprietatem verborum intelligeremus , nisi ipse Johannes, quod piimo Dominicae passionis nominibus, apertius postea diei paschalis vocabulis deeigni* ret. Ceterum Pascha, quod anno 520 ecclesia Romana cmn Constantinopoii- tana d. 19. Aprilis celebravit, quidam Occidentales die 22 Martii oelebruidiim duxerunt. EPISTOLAE 109 — 111. 911 nem atque Eulogium desiderabili hilaritate suscepimus; quorum prius (a.520.) praeceptum, cur quae Thessalonicae contigerunt non insinuavimus, ®P arguebat. Sed longe ante ejus adventimi occasione comparata cura- ep. lOO. vimus significare, quaecunque vel rumore venientium vel eorum qui pertulerunt scriptis, quorum exemplaria^) subter adjunximus, velep. lO^. piissimi principis narratione comperimus. Secuta est vindictae pro- missio: adeo ut Dorotheus Thessalonicensis episcopus ad Heracleam deduceretur civitatem, donec causa terminum reperiret. Inter haec secundmn ea, quae praecepistis, auctoritatem apostolatus vestri prin- ®P|^ cipi insinuare curavimus, ut ad percipiendam doctrinam catholicae puritatis Romam praefatus Dorotheus ima cum Aristide mitteretur. Qni respondit causam non esse, pro qua Romam dirigerentur'^) audiendi, ubi sine accusatorum controversia se possent liberius excusare. Sed repente, dum haec geruntur, ab Heracliensi, quantmn agnovimus, in qua teuebatur, dimissus est civitate : quam ob causam, vel qua ratione aut conditione, vel quibus agentibus, ignoramus. 2. De paschali die vestra beatitudo cognoscat concordare Orien- talium cum apostolica sede sententiam, ut XIH Calendarum Majarum die festivitas celebranda speretur, sicut Johannis quoque Constanti- nopolitani antistitis relatione clarebit. Superest, ut orationis beati- ep. 109. tudinis vestrae adnuniculo celeriter, sicut cupimus, vestris mereamur praesentari vestigiis.