Letter 74: Part of the papal correspondence surrounding the Acacian Schism (484-519), the major breach between Rome and...

Justin Augustus to Pope Hormisdas. Since it is our intention, most religious father, that in our every affair our counsels should be in agreement with one another, so also in the matter of Helias, that most reverend man and bishop, we believe that this should be settled, on the advice of your legates, which among the various considerations on both sides has been seen to be the more expedient course. For at present the goodwill of all protects the bishop of the city of the Caesareans, whom, on account of his most excellent practices, not only the inhabitants judge ought most strongly to be retained, but almost the entire East without doubt venerates; while he who held that same priesthood before him complains that he has been removed by an injustice. It has therefore seemed fitting to come to an agreement in this way: that we neither make an assault against the wishes of countless multitudes, nor let a man noble for his integrity be cast down from a see of which he shows himself worthy; nor yet allow the earlier man to be deprived entirely of the hope of seeking once more the place of which he affirms he was despoiled without cause; but that we proceed more moderately in a doubtful matter, in such a way that for the present this same Helias, that most reverend man and bishop, should remain undisturbed, but after his successor has laid down his life, then at last he may return to the see which he relinquished, when first all those things have been brought to bear which the most sacred canons lay down as requirements for obtaining permission to return, with the consent also being interposed both of your apostolic see and of this most flourishing city, as well as of the others whom this concerns. Concerning Thomas and Nicostratus also, those most religious men and bishops, everything will be carried into effect, after the other venerable churches as well, joined to you, have come to unity, which, with heavenly protection going before, we shall have judged should be established in accordance with the same order of the most sacred canons. Since therefore it was fitting that our deliberation should be declared to your holiness as well, so that from this too there might be made plain the desire upon which we direct all our effort toward checking and moderating controversies and toward extending the concord desired among all, we have decided that the present letter also should be dispatched, urging above all that for the safe and sound condition of the commonwealth the supernal divine power be entreated by your prayers. Given on the seventh day before the Ides of June at Constantinople, in the consulship of Vitalianus and Rusticius.

lusTixVus AUGUSTus HORBnsDAE PAPAE. Cum iu auimo nobis sit, pater religiosissime, ut in omni re nostra inter se concur- rant consilia, tum et in Helia uiro reuerentissimo episcopo id constituendum credimus legatis admonentibus uestris, quod 25 inter uarias utrasque rationes expeditius esse perspectum est. nam et in praesenti pontificem Caesariensium urbis fauor tutatur oranium, quem ob instituta pulcherrima non solum incolae ualidissime retinendum arbitrantur sed prope cuuctus 5 caetera V, ' correxi 8 maxune eae scripst: maxim<» V, maxiinae uulgo 19 constatmop V rustitio cons V Ifm. Dat a. 520 die 7 lun, Edd. Car. P 534; CoUect. Concih; Thiel 914. 22 lustinianus typothetae errore Car. 26 utrimque Thiel perspectum cod. Angelic: prospectum V 27 fabor V 29 incoU^ V Epist. CLXXXXII 3 — CLXXXXIII 4. 651 Oriens sine dubio ueneratur, et qui prior in eodera fuit sacer- dotio iniuria se esse remotum queritur. uisum est itaque 2 conaenire, ut nec faciamus impetum contra infinitarum uota multitudinum aut homo integritate nobilis sede deiciatur, sqna se dignum exhibet, nec anteriori spem prorsus adimi patiamur repetendi locum denuo, quo se spoliatum sine causa confirmat, sed in re dubia temperatius uersemur, ita ut interim quidem hic idem Helias uir reuerentissimus episcopus in quiete permaneat, uerum postquam successor eius uitam lodeposuerit, tum demum ad sedem reuertatur qua destitit, adhibendis prius omnibus, quae ad impetrandam reditionis licentiam sacratissimarum regularum postulant definita, inter- ponendo etiam consensu tam tuae sedis apostolicae quam ilorentissimae huius urbis nec non aliarum, quarum hoc interest. 15 de Thoma etiam et Nicostrato uiris religiosissimis episcopis 3 omnia mancipabuntur effectui, postquam ceterae etiam uobis copulatae fuerint ad unitatem uenerabiles ecclesiae, quae praeeedente superno praesidio statuenda duxerimus pro sacratissimarum regularum itidem ordine. quoniam itaque 4 uestrae quoque sanctitudini deliberationem nostram oportuerat declarari, ut ex hac etiam patefiat desiderium, in quo omnem operam intendimus ad compescendas atque temperandas contro- uersias et optatam inter omnes concordiam prorogandam, praesentes quoque litteras duximus destinandas, monentes « praecipue, ut pro incolomi statu rei publicae numen supernum uestris exoretur precibus. Data VII. Idus lunias Constantino- poli Uitaliano et Rusticio conss. 2 iniarias ease "F, corr. p 6 quo se spoliatum Car.: quos expolia- tuni F, id quod in quo se expoliatum correxit p 7 temperantius p 10 qua I%iel: quia V 16 mantipabuntur V 17 ad unitatem Hartel: et ad unitatem F, et adunatae Thiel 18 superio T", corr. 23 op- tata F, corr. o 26 conatantinopoll V 27 cons V 652 Euphemia Hormisdae; Epiphanius Cpolitanus Hormisdae