Letter 101: This deals with much the same subjects as Letter 98 from Anatolius' own standpoint; Chapter 3 is translated here as illustrating Letter 98, Chapter 3. III. He describes the circumstances under which the doctrine of the Incarnation had been formulated by the Synod.

From Anatolius [Patriarch of Constantinople, 449-458], Bishop of Constantinople, to Leo. This deals with much the same subjects as Letter 98, from Anatolius' own perspective. Chapter 3 is translated here as it illustrates Letter 98, Chapter 3. III. He describes the circumstances under which the doctrine of the Incarnation was formulated by the Synod. After passing judgment on him [Eutyches], we had to come together with prayers and tears to agree on a definition of the true Faith — for that was the chief reason the Emperor [Marcian] had summoned the holy Synod [the Council of Chalcedon, 451 — the landmark council that defined orthodox Christology, affirming Christ as one person with two natures, divine and human]. Your holiness was present with us in spirit and worked alongside us through the God-fearing men you sent as your representatives. Under the protection of the most holy and blessed martyr Euphemia [the council met at her basilica in Chalcedon], we all devoted ourselves to this weighty matter with great deliberation. As the occasion demanded that all the assembled bishops publish a unanimous decision for clarity and an explicit statement of the Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ — the Lord God who is found and revealed even to those who do not seek Him, even to those who do not ask for Him (Isaiah 65:1) — despite some initial resistance, He nevertheless showed us His Truth and ordained that it be written down and proclaimed by all unanimously and without opposition. This confirmed the souls of the strong and invited onto the path of Truth all who had been straying from it. After unanimously signing this document, we who assembled in this ecumenical Synod — in the name of the faith, of the same most holy and triumphant martyr Euphemia, of our most devout and Christ-loving Emperor Marcian, and of our most devout and faithful Empress Pulcheria Augusta — with prayer, joy, and gladness placed on the holy altar the definition written in accordance with your holy letter [the Tome] for the confirmation of the Faith of our Fathers. We presented it to their pious care, for they had asked to receive it. Having received it, they glorified with us their Master Christ, who had driven away all the fog of heresy and had graciously made clear the word of Truth. And in this way, by the Savior's mercy, the peace of the Church and the agreement of the bishops concerning the pure Faith were simultaneously established.

From Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople, to Leo. This deals with much the same subjects as Letter 98 from Anatolius' own standpoint; Chapter 3 is translated here as illustrating Letter 98, Chapter 3. III. He describes the circumstances under which the doctrine of the Incarnation had been formulated by the Synod. But since after passing judgment upon him we had to come to an agreement with prayers and tears upon a definition of the right Faith; for that was the chief reason for the Emperor's summoning the holy Synod, at which your holiness was present in the spirit with us, and wrought with us by the God-fearing men who were sent from you; we, having the protection of the most holy and beautiful martyr Euphemia, have all given ourselves to this important matter with all deliberateness. And as the occasion demanded that all the assembled holy bishops should publish a unanimous decision for clearness and for an explicit statement of the Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord God who is found and revealed even to those who seek Him not, yes, even to those who ask not for Him Isaiah 65:1, in spite of some attempts to resist at first, nevertheless showed us His Truth, and ordained that it should be written down and proclaimed by all unanimously and without gainsaying, which thus confirmed the souls of the strong, and invited into the way of Truth all who were swerving therefrom. And, indeed, after unanimously setting our names to this document, we who have assembled in this ecumenical Synod in the name of the Faith of the same most holy and triumphant martyr, Euphemia, and of our most religious and Christ-loving Emperor Marcian, and our most religious and in all things most faithful daughter the Empress Pulcheria Augusta, with prayer and joy and happiness, having laid on the holy altar the definition written in accordance with your holy epistle for the confirmation of our Father.' Faith, presented it to their pious care; for thus they had asked to receive it, and, having received it, they glorified with us their Master Christ, who had driven away all the mist of heresy and had graciously made clear the word of Truth. And in this way was simultaneously established the peace of the Church and the agreement of the priests concerning the pure Faith by the Saviour's mercy. About this page Source. Translated by Charles Lett Feltoe. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 12. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1895.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3604101.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.