Exchange of letters in 521 (Collectio Avellana 233 and 239), between Epiphanius, bishop of Constantinople, and Pope Hormisdas, in which Epiphanius announces his election as bishop and the donation of two chalices, a paten, and two veils to the basilica of St *Peter (the Apostle, S00036) at Rome, and Hormisdas acknowledges their receipt. Written in Latin at Constantinople and Rome.
E06110
Documentary texts - Letter
Collectio Avellana 233 (Epiphanius of Constantinople to Pope Hormisdas, JH 1644)
This letter, received at Rome on 30 November 520, announces Epiphanius' election as bishop of Constantinople, and discusses ecclesiastical affairs in the Eastern Empire. At the conclusion of the letter, before the final salutation, Epiphanius announces the following:
(11.) Indicia autem nostrae secundum Christum deum nostrum caritatis per uiros reuerentissimos destinauimus ad ministrationem diuinae culturae et sanctae et apostolicae uestrae ecclesiae calicem aureum gemmis circumdatum, patenam auream et alium calicem argenteum, uela holoserica duo, quae suscipere uestram <beatitudinem> supplicamus cum illa karitate, quam uos habere secundum deum non dubitamus.
'As signs of our love, in accordance with Christ our God, we have sent via most venerable men, for the service of divine worship and of your holy and apostolic church, a gold chalice surrounded with gems, a gold paten and another silver chalice, two veils of finest silk, which we beg Your Holiness to receive with that charity which we do not doubt that you have, in accordance with God.'
Collectio Avellana 239 (Pope Hormisdas to Epiphanius of Constantinople; 'Benedicimus Dominum', JK 858/JH 1653)
The reply of Hormisdas to the above letter, dated 26 March 521. Hormisdas congratulates Epiphanius on his election as bishop. The letter concludes as follows:
(5.) ET MANU PAPAE: Suscepimus calicem aureum gemmatum, patenam argenteam et alium calicem argenteum et uela duo ministerio basilicae beati Petri apostoli profutura a caritate tua directa.
'AND IN THE HAND OF THE POPE: We have received the golden, jewelled chalice, the silver paten, and the other silver chalice and two veils sent by Your Charity to assist the ministry of the basilica of the blessed Peter the Apostle.'
Text: Günther 1898, 710, 739.
Translation: David Lambert.
Bequests, donations, gifts and offerings
Protagonists in Cult and NarrativesEcclesiastics - bishops
Ecclesiastics - Popes
Cult Related ObjectsChalices, censers and other liturgical vessels
Precious cloths
Source
The Collectio Avellana is a collection of 244 letters and other documents dating from 367 to 553, mostly correspondence between the papacy and the imperial authorities in Italy or in Constantinople. The date of its compilation is uncertain, but has most frequently been placed soon after 553.The letter discussed here comes from part of the collection containing correspondence between Rome and Constantinople under Pope Hormisdas (514–523). This is the largest part of the Collectio Avellana, containing about half its contents.
Bibliography
Edition:Günther, O., Collectio Avellana. 2 vols (Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum 35/1-2; Vienna, 1895-1898).
David Lambert
20/08/2018
| ID | Name | Name in Source | Identity | S00036 | Peter, the Apostle | Petrus | Certain |
|---|
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