Letter 216: Part of the papal correspondence surrounding the Acacian Schism (484-519), the major breach between Rome and...

[Rubric:] Of Pope Hormisdas, to Epiphanius, bishop of Constantinople. [Editorial summary:] He reproaches him, because, when the opportunity was given by the legates who had been sent, he did not make his own ordination known to him; and he urges him not to neglect this ancient custom. Hormisdas to Epiphanius, bishop of Constantinople. For a long time the report of the beginnings of your dignity held us in suspense, and amid the rejoicing itself of our common gladness we were greatly astonished that the former custom had been neglected, because, now that the concord of the churches had been restored by God's assent, the full duty of fraternal peace demanded this, especially since it was not personal arrogance but the observance of the rule that laid claim to it. [Editorial footnote, citing Cornelius, letter 2, sections 2 and 3: "But as for the fact that we desired the writings of our colleagues who had been present there at your ordination, we were not forgetful of the old customs nor seeking anything new. For it would have been enough for you to announce yourself as bishop by a letter that had been drawn up, were it not that there existed a discordant faction on the opposing side, which ... would disturb the minds of very many. But the present time has introduced certain new laws of greater caution, and from the various sees various ..." Page header: LETTERS OF THE ROMAN PONTIFFS, I. 58.] It would indeed have been fitting, most dear brother, that you should have dispatched legates to the apostolic see at the very beginning of your pontificate, so that you might both well recognize what affection we owe you, and might duly fulfil the form of the ancient custom. But although, these things having been omitted, you judged that letters alone, arising from the occasion of the conferences, would suffice, we nevertheless, compelled and goaded by grace, for the time break off the steadfastness of just expectation, rendering in return the reciprocal words of mutual charity: because both our spirit, impatient of love, and the longed-for report of our legates drew to kindly offices the silence which the cause was commanding to be set aside, and by these offices we now display the signs of our joy and in a certain manner pay the votive dues of private friendship. As for your legation, both by that grace with which we have long borne with you, and supported by the ancient ordinances, we require it, so that we may express more evidently how great a fruit of joy we take either from the honor of your pontificate, or what thanks it is fitting be rendered to you for the offices expended in the business of propagating unity, just as the account of our legates has manifoldly set forth.

Hormisdae papae ad Epiphanium episcopum Constantino- m ^i) politanum* L6. Arguit eum, guod ordinationem suam occasione data missis legatis ipsi noiam non fecerit, et ut veterem hunc morem non praetermittat , hortaiur. Hormisda Epiphanio Constantinopolitano episcopo. * Diu nos^) nuntiata tuae primordia dignitatis tenuere suspen- sos^ et in ipsa communis gratulatione laetitiae mirati admodum sumus morem pristinum fuisse neglectum*, quia reparata ecclesiarum Deo annuente concordia, plenum fratemae pacis id flagitabat offi- cium, praesertim quod sibi^) non arrogantia personalis, sed regula- ') Scil. Justini quae supra cpist. 108; Justiniani autem epistola simul an- nexa deperiit. ') Hoc est contentionis : quod de ScythiB monachis dictum, quorum in ver- borum novitatc procaciam ita arguit, ut nusquam cis haereticae labis notam innrat. Comelium (Com. epist. 2 u. .3): Quod autem scripta coUegarum nostrorum, qui illic ordinationi tuae adfuerant, desideravimus , non veteres mores obliti, novum aliquid quaerebamus. Nam saiis erat, ut tu te episcopum factis Hiteris nuntiares, nisi essct ex diverso discrepans faciio , quae , . . plurimorum mentes turbaret, Sed novas quas- dam leges majoris cautionis crgo tompus iuduxit, ct a diversis sedibus diversa BPISTOLAE BOMAN. PONTIF. I. 58 (a.520.)rum observantia vindicabat. Decuerat siquidem^ frater carissimey te legatos ad apostolicam sedem inter ipsa tui pontificatus initia destinasse, ut et quem tibi debeamus affectum bene cognosceres, et vetustae consuetudinis formam rite compleres. Sed licet his omissis paginalia tantum sufficere judicasses ex occasione coUoquia^ nos tamen gratia stimulante^) compulsi^ interim justae constantiam ex- spectationis abrumpimuS; reciproca mutuae caritatis verba reddentes: quia et noster animus amoris impatienS; et legatorum nostromm Yotiva relatio^) exclusum^ quod imperabat causa, silentium adofficia benigna traxerunt, quibus ad praesens gaudii nostri signa monstra- mus et privatae quodammodo araicitiae^) votiva persolvimus. Lega- tionem autem tuam et ea qua dudum gratia sustinemus^ et fulti veteribus constitutis exigimus^ ut quantum gaudii fructum vel de tui pontificatus honore capiamus, vel quas tibi gratdas referri con- veniat pro impensis in negotio propagandae unitatis officiiS; sicat nostrorum multipliciter adstruxit legatorum narratio^ exprimamus evidentius.