Letter 12

From: Pope Felix III, bishop of Rome To: Emperor Anastasius I, Emperor of the Eastern Romans Date: ~491 AD Context: Felix writes to the new Emperor Anastasius I (who succeeded Zeno in 491) regarding the continuing Acacian Schism and the conditions for its resolution. Felix, bishop of Rome, to the most clement Emperor Anastasius, greetings. The accession of your Majesty to the imperial throne presents an opportunity for the resolution of the schism that has divided the churches of the East and West for seven years. We write to you at the beginning of your reign in the hope that you will approach this wound in the church's unity with fresh eyes and with the willingness to do what previous imperial policy has not done: fully and clearly affirm the Council of Chalcedon. We do not raise this as a criticism of your predecessor, whose motives we do not question. We raise it as a statement of what is necessary. The Henotikon was well-intentioned; its effect was not to unite the church but to create a framework within which the churches of the East continued to hold incompatible positions while appearing to be in communion with one another. This is not peace; it is the management of unresolved conflict. Your Majesty governs an empire that needs the church's prayers and the church's unity. You will not have the latter as long as the Eastern churches are not clearly committed to the faith of Chalcedon. And you will not have the former from those in the West who hold that faith, as long as they believe the Emperor does not share it. We offer our prayers for your reign and our genuine hope for reconciliation. Felix, bishop of Rome