HISTORICAL NOTE ON THE LOST "TOME" OF THE SECOND COUNCIL.

We know from the Synodical letter sent by the bishops who assembled at 

Constantinople in A.D. 382 (the next year after the Second Ecumenical 

Council) sent to Pope Damasus and other Western bishops, that the Second 

Council set forth a "Tome," containing a statement of the doctrinal 

points at issue. This letter will be found in full at the end of the 

treatment of tiffs council. The Council of Cholcedon in its address to 

the Emperor says: "The bishops who at Constantinople detected the taint 

of Apollinarianism, communicated to the Westerns their decision in the 

matter." From this we may reasonably conclude, with Tillemont,(3) that  

the lost Tome treated also of the Apollinarian heresy. It is moreover by 

no means unlikely that the Creed as it has come down to us, was the 

summary at the end of the Tome, and was followed by the anathemas which 

now form our Canon I. It also is likely that the very accurate doctrinal 

statements contained in the Letter of the Synod of 382 may be taken 

almost, if not quite, verbatim from this Tome. It seems perfectly 

evident that at least one copy of the Tome was sent to the West but how 

it got lost is a matter on which at present we are entirely in the dark.

 (Found in Labbe, Concilia, Tom. II., 945.)

To the most religious Emperor Theodosius, the Holy Synod of Bishops 

assembled in Constantinople out of different Provinces. We begin our 

letter to your Piety with thanks to God, who has established the empire

of your Piety for the common peace of the Churches and for the support 

of the true Faith. And, after rendering due thanks unto God, as in duty 

bound we lay before your Piety the things which have been done in the 

Holy Synod. When, then, we had assembled in Constantinople, according to 

the letter of your Piety, we first of all renewed our unity of heart 

each with the other, and then we pronounced some concise definitions, 

ratifying the Faith of the Nicene Fathers, and anathematizing the 

heresies which have sprung up, contrary thereto. Besides these things, 

we also framed certain Canons for the better ordering of the Churches, 

all which we have subjoined to this our letter. Wherefore we beseech 

your Piety that the decree of the Synod may be ratified, to the end 

that, as you have honoured the Church by your letter of citation, so you 

should set your seal to the conclusion of what has been decreed. May the 

Lord establish your empire in peace and righteousness, and prolong it 

from generation to generation; and may he add unto your earthly power 

the fruition of the heavenly kingdom also. May God by the prayers 

(    eukaiu        twt        agiwn   ) of the 

Saints,(1) show favour to the world, that you may be strong and eminent 

in all good things as an Emperor most truly pious and beloved of God.