Letter 10

From: Pope Felix III, bishop of Rome To: Fravitas, Patriarch of Constantinople Date: ~489 AD Context: Following Acacius's death, Felix writes to his successor Fravitas on the conditions for reconciliation between Rome and Constantinople. Felix, bishop of Rome, to Fravitas, bishop of Constantinople, greetings. The death of Acacius has opened a possibility that we have long hoped for: the restoration of communion between the apostolic see and the great church of Constantinople. We write to you, his successor, to tell you what is required for that restoration to happen. The conditions are not difficult to meet for a man who holds the orthodox faith, but they cannot be waived without making the restoration meaningless. They are: the explicit acceptance of the Council of Chalcedon in its full definition; the condemnation of the heresies that Chalcedon condemned; the striking of Acacius's name from the diptychs of the Constantinopolitan church; and the restoration to communion of all those who were separated from you because of their fidelity to Chalcedon. We recognize that meeting these conditions will create difficulties — political difficulties, because the Emperor continues to favor the Henotikon; personal difficulties, because the condemnation of Acacius will be seen by some as a judgment on his supporters. Nevertheless, these are the conditions. They are not punitive; they are the minimum required by the truth. A reconciliation that papers over the real issue is not a reconciliation at all. We hope and pray that you will be the bishop who heals this schism. Felix, bishop of Rome