Letter 1

From: Pope Felix III, bishop of Rome To: Emperor Zeno, Emperor of the Eastern Romans Date: ~484 AD Context: Pope Felix III [reigned 483-492] writes to Emperor Zeno regarding the Acacian Schism, which had erupted over Patriarch Acacius of Constantinople's support for the Henotikon — Zeno's compromise formula on the nature of Christ that Felix regarded as a betrayal of the Council of Chalcedon. This schism would divide Rome from Constantinople for 35 years. Felix, bishop, servant of the servants of God, to the most clement Emperor Zeno, greetings. We write on a matter that presses on our conscience and on the welfare of the universal church with a weight that cannot be set aside without grave damage to both. The Henotikon [the "Act of Union" issued by Zeno in 482, which attempted to paper over the dispute between those who accepted the Council of Chalcedon's two-nature Christology and those who rejected it] purports to offer peace, and we understand the Emperor's desire for peace in the church of his empire. Peace is a great good and those who seek it serve God's intention. But there is a peace that is purchased at the price of truth, and that price is too high. Chalcedon [the Council of Chalcedon, 451, which defined that Christ has two complete natures — divine and human — in one person] defined the faith of the church with clarity and authority. The Henotikon does not affirm Chalcedon; it does not condemn the heresies that Chalcedon condemned; it attempts to hold together positions that are irreconcilable without saying which one is true. This is not a path to peace; it is a path to the corruption of the faith under the disguise of diplomacy. Patriarch Acacius of Constantinople has supported and promulgated the Henotikon. By doing so, he has placed himself outside the communion of the Church. We have no choice but to act on this fact. Felix, bishop of Rome