Letter 1

From: Pope Symmachus (Synodal Decree in Anastasius II collection) To: The Church Date: ~499 AD Context: Pope Anastasius II letter 1; actually a synodal decree of Pope Symmachus (reigned 498-514), preserved in the same manuscript collection as the Anastasius II letters. The decree addresses the Laurentian schism — the dispute over the papal election of 498 that produced an antipope. The synodal decree of Pope Symmachus. The suggestion of Fulgentius, archdeacon of the Roman church, regarding the synod convened at the command of Pope Symmachus, followed by the formal question put to the synod, and the response of the synod: We who have assembled in synod under the presidency of the most holy Bishop Symmachus have considered the questions regarding the validity of the present pontificate and the canonical procedures by which the disputes arising from the contested election are to be resolved. Our determination: the election of Symmachus to the apostolic see was properly conducted and his pontificate is legitimate. The claims of the opposing party, however they may have originated, do not constitute a valid canonical challenge to the established pontificate. We ask all bishops and clergy to recognize the authority of the canonical bishop and to refrain from recognizing or supporting those who continue to challenge it. Given at Rome, under the presidency of Pope Symmachus.

seu ^ ^^^- Deoretum synodale s. Symmaohi papae. S. !• Bvggestio Fnlgentii archidiaooni ecclesiae Bomanae de congregata Sjmodo ex praecepto papae SynunachL H. Interloeatio Symmachi, ut epiecopalis ambitns radicitns ampntetor. gententia Sjmodi, nt si qnis papa snperstite pro Bomano pontificatn cniqnam qnolibet modo favorem praestare convincitnr, loci sni ordine vel commnnione privetnr. Ut li papa morte praeventns non potnerit ante de sni successoris electione de- •emere, i« ordinetnr antistes, quem cnnctns dems ant certe pars major elegerit Ut li qnis ambientes vel fautores ambientinm conjnratoresqne prodiderit, non ▼ocaretar ibioue custodia quadam retinorctur; deinde post Bj^nodum anni 502 iMmn inde duapsum Romamque reversuni vcre episcopum scnisinaticum egisse. ^ Ita anonymus Blanch., et apprime coiisentit Symraachi epist. 8 ei ap- peud. ep. 6. XPItTOLAB BOMAN. PONTIF. I. 41