[collected in the Pedalion or "The Rudder"]
Canon I
Let a bishop be ordained by two or three bishops.
Canon II.
Let a presbyter, deacon, and the rest of the clergy, be ordained by one
bishop,
Canon III. (III. And IV.)
If any bishop or presbyter offer any other things at the altar, besides
that which the Lord ordained for the sacrifice, as honey, or milk, or strong-made
drink instead of wine,2
or birds, or any living things, or vegetables, besides that which is ordained,
let him be deposed. Excepting only new ears of corn, and grapes at the suitable
season. Neither is it allowed to bring anything else to the altar at the time
of the holy oblation, excepting oil for the lamps, and incense.
Canon IV. (V.)
Let all other fruits be sent home as first-fruits for the bishops and
presbyters, but not offered at the altar. But the bishops and presbyters should
of course give a share of these things to the deacons, and the rest of the
clergy.
Canon V. (VI.)
Let not a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, put away his wife under pretence
of religion; but if he put her away, let him be excommunicated; and if he
persists, let him be deposed.
Canon VI. (VII.)
Let not a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, undertake worldly business;
otherwise let him be deposed.
Canon VII. (VIII.)
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, shall celebrate the holy day of
Easter before the vernal equinox, with the Jews, let him be deposed.
Canon VIII (IX.)
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or any one on the sacerdotal list,
when the offering is made, does not partake of it, let him declare the cause;
and if it be a reasonable one, let him be excused; but if he does not declare
it, let him be excommunicated, as being a cause of offence to the people, and
occasioning a suspicion against the offerer, as if he had not made the offering
properly.
Canon IX. (X.)
All the faithful who come in and hear the Scriptures, but do not stay for
the prayers and the Holy Communion, are to be excommunicated, as causing
disorder in the Church.
Canon X. (XI.)
If any one shall pray, even in a private house, with an excommunicated
person, let him also be excommunicated.
Canon XI. (XII.)
If any clergyman shall join in prayer with a deposed clergyman, as if he
were a clergyman,3
let him also be deposed.
Canon XII. And XIII (XIII.)
If any one of the clergy or laity who is excommunicated, or not to be
received, shall go away, and be received in another city without commendatory
letters, let both the receiver and the received be excommunicated.
But if he be excommunicated already, let the time of his excommunication
be lengthened.
Canon XIV.
A bishop is not to be allowed to leave his own parish, and pass over into
another, although he may be pressed by many to do so, unless there be some
proper cause constraining him. as if he can confer some greater benefit upon
the persons of that place in the word of godliness. And this must be done not
of his own accord, but by the judgment of many bishops, and at their earnest
exhortation.
Canon XV.
If any presbyter, or deacon, or any other of the list of the clergy,
shall leave his own parish, and go into another, and having entirely forsaken
his own, shall make his abode in the other parish without the permission of his
own bishop, we ordain that he shall no longer perform divine service; more
especially if his own bishop having exhorted him to return he has refused to do
so, and persists in his disorderly conduct. But let him communicate there as a
layman.
Canon XVI.
If, however, the bishop, with whom any such persons are staying, shall
disregard the command that they are to cease from performing divine offices,
and shall receive them as clergymen, let him be excommunicated, as a teacher of
disorder.
Canon XVII.
He who has been twice married after baptism, or who has had a concubine,
cannot become a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or any other of the sacerdotal
list.
Canon XVIII.
He who married a widow, or a divorced woman, or an harlot, or a
servant-maid, or an actress, cannot be a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or any
other of the sacerdotal list.
Canon XIX.
He who has married two sisters, or a niece, cannot become a clergyman.
Canon XX.
If a clergyman becomes surety for any one, let him be deposed.
Canon XXI.
An eunuch, if he has been made so by the violence of men or [if his
virilia have been amputated4
] in times of persecution, or if he has been born so, if in other respects he
is worthy, may be made a bishop.
Canon XXII.
He who has mutilated himself, cannot become a clergyman, for he is a
self-murderer, and an enemy to the workmanship of God.
Canon XXIII.
If any man beinga clergyman shall mutilate himself, let him be deposed,
for he is a self-murderer.
Canon XXIV.
If a layman mutilate himself, let him be excommunicated for three years,
as practicing against his own life.
Canon XXV. (XXV. And XXVI.)
If a bishop, presbyter, or deacon be found guilty of fornication,
perjury, or theft, let him be deposed, but let him not be excommunicated; for
the Scripture says, "thou shall not punish a man twice for the same
offence." In like manner the other clergy shall be subject to the same proceeding)5
Canon XXVI. (XXVII.)
Of those who have been admitted to the clergy unmarried, we ordain, that
the readers and singers only may, if they will, marry.
Canon XXVII. (XXVIII.)
If a bishop, presbyter, or deacon shall strike any of the faithful who
have sinned, or of the unbelievers who have done wrong, with the intention of
frightening them, we command that he be deposed. For our Lord has by no means
taught us to do so, but, on the contrary, when he was smitten he smote not
again, when he was reviled he reviled not again, when he suffered he threatened
not.
Canon XXVIII. (XXIX.)
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, having been justly deposed upon open
accusations, shall dare to meddle with any of the divine offices which had been
entrusted to him, let him be altogether cut off from the Church.
Canon XXIX. (XXX.)
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, shall obtain possession of that
dignity by money, let both him and the person who ordained him be deposed, and
also altogether cut off from all communion, as Simon Magus was by me Peter.
Canon XXX. (XXXI.)
If any bishop obtain possession of a church by the aid of the temporal
powers, let him be deposed and excommunicated, and all who communicate with
him.
Canon XXXI. (XXXII.)
If any presbyter, despising his own bishop, shall collect a separate
congregation, and erect another altar, not having any grounds for condemning
the bishop with regard to religion or justice, let him be deposed for his
ambition; for he is a tyrant; in like manner also the rest of the clergy, and
as many as join him; and let laymen be excommunicated. Let this, however, be
done after a first, second, and third admonition from the bishop.
Canon XXXII. (XXXIII.)
If any presbyter or deacon has been excommunicated by a bishop, he may
not be received into communion again by any other than by him who
excommunicated him, unless it happen that the bishop who excommunicated him be
dead.
Canon XXXIII. (XXXIV.)
No foreign bishop, presbyter, or deacon, may be received without
commendatory letters; and when they are produced let the persons be examined;
and if they be preachers of godliness, let them be received. Otherwise,
although you supply them with what they need, you must not receive them into
communion, for many things are done surreptitiously.
Canon XXXIV. (XXXV.)
The bishops of every nation must acknowledge him who is first among them
and account him as their head, and do nothing of consequence without his
consent; but each may do those things only which concern his own parish, and
the country places which belong to it. But neither let him (who is the first)
do anything without the consent of all;for so there will be unanimity, and God
will be glorified through the Lord in the Holy Spirit.6
Canon XXXV. (XXXVI.)
Let not a bishop dare to ordain beyond his own limits, in cities and
places not subject to him. But if he be convicted of doing so, without the
consent of those persons who have authority over such cities and places, let
him be deposed, and those also whom he has ordained.
Canon XXXVI. (XXXVII.)
If any person, having been ordained bishop, does not undertake the
ministry, and the care of the people committed to him, let him be
excommunicated until he does undertake it. In like manner a presbyter or
deacon· But if he has gone and has not been received, not of his own will but
from the perverseness of the people, let him continue bishop; and let the
clergy of the city be excommunicated, because they have not corrected the
disobedient people.
Canon XXXVII. (XXXVIII.)
Let there be a meeting of the bishops twice a year, and let them examine
amongst themselves the decrees concerning religion and settle the
ecclesiastical controversies which may have occurred. One meeting to be held in
the fourth week of Pentecost [i.e., the fourth week after Easter], and the
other on the 12th day of the month Hyperberetaeus [i.e., October].
Canon XXXVIII. (XXXIX.)
Let the bishop have the care of all the goods of the Church, and let him
administer them as under the inspection of God. But he must not alienate any of
them or give the things which belong to God to his own relations. If they be
poor let him relieve them as poor; but let him not, under that pretence, sell
the goods of the Church.
Canon XXXIX. (XL.)
Let not the presbyters or deacons do anything without the sanction of the
bishop; for he it is who is intrusted with the people of the Lord, and of whom
will be required the account of their souls.
Canon XL. (XL. Continued.)
Let the private goods of the bishop, if he have any such, and those of
the Lord, be clearly distinguished, that the bishop may have the power of
leaving his own goods, when he dies, to whom he will, and how he will, and that
the bishop's own property may not be lost under pretence of its being the
property of the Church: for it may be that he has a wife, or children, or
relations, or servants; and it is just before God and man, that neither should
the Church suffer any loss through ignorance of the bishop's own property, nor
the bishop or his relations be injured under pretext of the Church: nor that
those who belong to him should be involved in contests, and cast reproaches
upon his death.
Canon XLI.
We ordain that the bishop have authority over the goods of the Church:
for if he is to be entrusted with the precious souls of men, much more are
temporal possessions to be entrusted to him. He is therefore to administer them
all of his own authority, and sup ply those who need, through the presbyters
and deacons, in the fear of God, and with all reverence. He may also, if need
be, take what is required for his own necessary wants, and for the brethren to
whom he has to show hospitality, so that he may not be in any want. For the law
of God has ordained, that they who wait at the altar should be hour- ished of
the altar. Neither does any soldier bear arms against an enemy at his own cost.
Canon XLII.
If a bishop or presbyter, or deacon, is addicted to dice or drinking, let
him either give it over, or be deposed.
Canon XLIII.
If a Hypodeacon, reader, or singer, commits the same things, let him
either give over, or be excommunicated. So also laymen.
Canon XLIV.
Let a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, who takes usury from those who borrow
of him, give up doing so, or be deposed.
Canon XLV.
Let a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, who has only prayed with heretics, be
excommunicated: but if he has permitted them to perform any clerical office,
let him be deposed.
Canon XLVI.
We ordain that a bishop, or presbyter, who has admitted the baptism or
sacrifice of heretics, be deposed. For what concord hath Christ with Belial, or
what part hath a believer with an infidel?
Canon XLVII.
Let a bishop or presbyter who shall baptize again one who has rightly
received baptism, or who shall not baptize one who has been polluted by the
ungodly, be deposed, as despising the cross and death of the Lord, and not
making a distinction between the true priests and the false.
Canon XLVIII.
If any layman put away his wife and marry another, or one who has been
divorced by another man, let him be excommunicated.
Canon XLIX.
If any bishop or presbyter, contrary to the ordinance of the Lord, does
not baptize into the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, but into three
Unoriginated Beings, or three Sons, or three Comforters, let him be deposed.
Canon L.
If any bishop or presbyter does not perform the one initiation with three
immersions, but with giving one immersion only, into the death of the Lord, let
him be deposed. For the Lord said not, Baptize into my death, but, "Go,
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
Canon LI.
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or any one of the sacerdotal list,
abstains from marriage, or flesh, or wine, not by way of religious restraint,
but as abhorring them, forgetting that God made all things very good, and that
he made man male and female, and blaspheming the work of creation, let him be
corrected, or else be deposed, and cast out of the Church. In like manner a
layman.
Canon LII.
If any bishop or presbyter,7
does not receive him who turns away from his sin, but rejects him, let him be
deposed; for he grieveth Christ who said, "There is joy in heaven over one
sinner that repenteth."
Canon LIII.
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, does not on festival days partake of
flesh and wine, from an abhorrence of them, and not out of religious restraint,
let him be deposed, as being seared in his own conscience, and being the cause
of offence to many.
Canon LIV.
If any of the clergy be found eating in a tavern, let him be
excommunicated, unless he has been constrained by necessity, on a journey, to
lodge in an inn.
Canon LV.
If any of the clergy insult the bishop, let him be deposed: for
"thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people."
Canon LVI.
If any of the clergy insult a presbyter, or deacon, let him be
excommunicated.
Canon LVII.
If any of the clergy mock the lame, or the deaf, or the blind, or him who
is infirm in his legs, let him be excommunicated. In like manner any of the
laity.
Canon LVIII.
If any bishop or presbyter neglects the clergy or the people, and does
not instruct them in the way of godliness, let him be ex- communicated, and if
he persists in his negligence and idleness, let him be deposed.
Canon LIX.
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, when any of the clergy is in want,
does not supply him with what he needs, let him be excommunicated; but if he
persists, let him be deposed, as one who has killed his brother.
Canon LX.
If any one reads publicly in the church the falsely inscribed8
books of impious men, as if they were holy Scripture, to the destruction of the
people and clergy, let him be deposed.
Canon LXI.
If any accusation be brought against a believer of fornication or
adultery, or any forbidden action, and he be convicted, let him not be promoted
to the clergy.
Canon LXII.
If any of the clergy, through fear of men, whether Jew, heathen, or
heretic, shall deny the name of Christ, let him be cast out. If he deny the
name of a clergyman, let him be deposed. If he repent, let him be received as a
layman.
Canon LXIII.
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or any one of the sacerdotal order,
shall eat flesh, with the blood of the life thereof, or anything killed by
beasts, or that dies of itself, let him be deposed. For the law has forbidden
this. If he be a layman, let him be excommunicated.
Canon LXIV.
If any clergyman or layman shall enter into a synagogue of Jews or
heretics to pray, let the former be deposed and let the latter be
excommunicated.9
Canon LXV.
If any clergyman shall strike anyone in a contest, and kill him with one
blow, let him be deposed for his violence. If a layman do so, let him be
excommunicated.
Canon LXVI.
If any of the clergy be found fasting on the Lord's day, or on the
Sabbath,10
exceptingthe one only, let him be deposed.If a layman, let him be
excommunicated.
Canon LXVII.
If anyone shall force and keep a virgin not espoused, let him be
excommunicated. And he may not take any other, but must retain her whom he has
chosen, though she be a poor person.
Canon LXVIII.
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, shall receive from anyone a second
ordination, let both the ordained and the ordainer be deposed; unless indeed it
be proved that he had his ordination from heretics; for those who have been baptized
or ordained by such persons cannot be either of the faithful or of the clergy.
Canon LXIX.
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or reader, or singer, does not fast
the holy Quadragesimal fast of Easter, or the fourth day, or the day of
Preparation, let him be deposed, unless he be hindered by some bodily
infirmity. If he be a layman, let him be excommunicated.
Canon LXX.
If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or any one of the list of clergy,
keeps fast or festival with the Jews, or receives from them any of the gifts of
their feasts, as unleavened bread, any such things, let him be deposed. If he
be a layman, let him be excommunicated.
Canon LXXI.
If any Christian brings oil into a temple of the heathen or into a
synagogue of the Jews at their feast, or lights lamps, let him be
excommunicated.
Canon LXXII.
If any clergyman or layman takes away wax or oil from the holy Church,
let him be excommunicated, [and let him restore a fifth part more than he
took.]11
Canon LXXIII.
Let no one convert to his own use any vessel of gold or silver, or any
veil which has been sanctified, for it is contrary to law; and if anyone be
detected doing so, let him be excommunicated.
Canon LXXIV.
If any bishop has been accused of anything by men worthy of credit, he
must be summoned by the bishops; and if he appears, and confesses, or is
convicted, a suitable punishment must be inflicted upon him. But if when he is
summoned he does not attend, let him be summoned a second time, two bishops
being sent to him, for that purpose. [If even then he will not attend, let him
be summoned a third time, two bishops being again sent to him.12
] But if even then he shall disregard the summons and not come, let the synod
pronounce such sentence against him as appears right, that he may not seem to
profit by avoiding judgment.
Canon LXXV.
An heretic is not to be received as witness against a bishop, neither
only one believer; for "in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word
shall be established."
Canon LXXVI.
A bishop must not out of favor to a brother or a son, or any other
relation, ordain whom he will to the episcopal dignity; for it is not right to
make heirs of the bishopric, giving the things of God to human affections.
Neither is it fitting to subject the Church of God to heirs. But if anyone
shall do so let the ordination be void, and the oradainer himself be punished
with excommunication.
Canon LXXVII.
If any one be deprived of an eye, or lame of a leg, but in other respects
be worthy of a bishopric, he may be ordained, for the defect of the body does not
defile a man, but the pollution of the soul.
Canon LXXVIII.
But if a man be deaf or blind, he may not be made a bishop, not indeed as
if he were thus defiled, but that the affairs of the Church may not be
hindered.
Canon LXXIX.
If anyone has a devil, let him not be made a clergyman, neither let him
pray with the faithful; but if he be freed, let him be received into communion,
and if he is worthy he may be ordained.
Canon LXXX.
It is not allowed that a man who has come over from an heathen life, and
been baptized or who has been converted from an evil course of living, should
be immediately made a bishop, for it is not right that he who has not been
tried himself should be a teacher of others. Unless indeed this be done upon a
special manifestation of Divine grace in his favour.
Canon LXXXI.
We have said that a bishop or presbyter must not give himself to the
management of public affairs, but devote himself to ecclesiastical business.
Let him then be persuaded to do so, or let him be deposed, for no man can serve
two masters, according to the Lord's declaration.
Canon LXXXII.
We do not allow any servants to be promoted to the clergy without the
consent of their masters, [to the troubling of their houses.13
] But if any servant should appear worthy of receiving an order,14
as our Onesimus appeared, and his masters agree and liberate him, and send him
out of their house, he may be ordained.
Canon LXXXIII.
If a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, shall serve in the army, and wish to
retain both the Roman magistracy and the priestly office, let him be deposed;
for the things of Caesar belong to Caesar, and those of God to God.
Canon LXXXIV.
Whosoever shall insult the King, or a ruler, contrary to what is right,
let him suffer punishment. If he be a clergyman, let him be deposed; if a
layman, excommunicated.
Canon LXXXV.
Let the following books be counted venerable and sacred by all of you,
both clergy and Laity. Of the Old Testament, five books of Moses, Genesis,
Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy; of Joshua the Son of Nun, one; of the
Judges, one; of Ruth, one; of the Kings, four; of the Chronicles of the book of
the days, two; of Ezra, two; of Esther, one; [some texts read "of Judith,
one" ;] of the Maccabees, three; of Job, one; of the Psalter, one; of
Solomon, three, viz.: Prov- erbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs; of the Prophets,
twelve; of Isaiah, one; of Jeremiah, one; of Ezekiel, one; of Daniel, one. But
besides these you are recommended to teach your young persons the Wisdom of the
very learned Sirach. Our own books, that is, those of the New Testament, are:
the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; fourteen Epistles of Paul;
two Epistles of Peter; three of John; one of James, and one of Jude. Two
Epistles of Clemens, and the Constitutions of me Clemens, addressed to you
Bishops, in eight books, Which are not to be published to all on account of the
mystical things in them. And the Acts of us.
The Apostles
(Found in the Acts of the Ecumenical Councils of Ephesus and
Chalcedon, in the Epistle of Eusebius of Caesarea to his own Church, in the
Epistle of St. Athanasius Ad Jovianum Imp., in the Ecclesiastical Histories of
Theodoret and Socrates, and elsewhere, The variations in the text are
absolutely without importance.)
The Synod at Nice set forth this Creed.1
The Ekhthesis of the Synod at Nicea.2
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of all things visible
and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten
of his Father, of the substance of the Father, God of God, Light of Light, very
God of very God, begotten (gennhqe/nta),
not made, being of one substance (o9moou/sion,
consubstantialem) with the Father. By whom all things were made, both which be
in heaven and in earth. Who for us men and for our salvation came down [from
heaven] and was incarnate and was made man. He suffered and the third day he
rose again, and ascended into heaven. And he shall come again to judge both the
quick and the dead. And [we believe] in the Holy Ghost. And whosoever shall say
that there was a time when the Son of God was not (h!n pote o\#te ou0k h\n), or that before he
was begotten he was not, or that he was made of things that were not, or that
he is of a different substance or essence [from the Father] or that he is a
creature, or subject to change or conversion3
-all that so say, the Catholic and Apostolic Church anathematizes them.
Notes
The Creed of Eusebius of Caesarea, which he presented to the council, and
which some suppose to have suggested the creed finally adopted.
(Found in his Epistle to his diocese; vide: St. Athanasius and
Theodoret.)
We believe in one only God, Father Almighty, Creator of things visible
and invisible; and in the Lord Jesus Christ, for he is the Word of God, God of
God, Light of Light, life of life, his only Son, the first-born of all
creatures, begotten of the Father before all time, by whom also everything was
created, who became flesh for our redemption, who lived and suffered amongst
men, rose again the third day, returned to the Father, and will come again one
day in his glory to judge the quick and the dead. We believe also in the Holy
Ghost We believe that each of these three is and subsists; the Father truly as
Father, the Son truly as Son, the Holy Ghost truly as Holy Ghost; as our Lord
also said, when he sent his disciples to preach: Go and teach all nations, and
baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Canon I.
If any one in sickness has been subjected by physicians to a surgical
operation, or if he has been castrated by barbarians, let him remain among the
clergy; but, if any one in sound health has castrated himself, it behooves that
such an one, if [already] enrolled among the clergy, should cease [from his
ministry], and that from henceforth no such person should be promoted. But, as
it is evident that this is said of those who willfully do the thing and presume
to castrate themselves, so if any have been made eunuchs by barbarians, or by
their masters, and should otherwise be found worthy, such men the Canon admits
to the clergy.
Canon II.
Forasmuch as, either from necessity, or through the urgency of
individuals, many things have been done contrary to the Ecclesiastical canon,
so that men just converted from heathenism to the faith, and who have been
instructed but a little while, are straightway brought to the spiritual layer,
and as soon as they have been baptized, are advanced to the episcopate or the
Presbyterate, it has seemed right to us that for the time to come no such thing
shall be done. For to the catechumen himself there is need of time and of a
longer trial after baptism. For the apostolic saying is clear, "Not a
novice; lest, being lifted up with pride, he fall into condemnation and the
snare of the devil." But if, as time goes on, any sensual sin should be
found out about the person, and he should be convicted by two or three
witnesses, let him cease from the clerical office. And whoso shall transgress
these [enactments] will imperil his own clerical position, as a person who
presumes to disobey the great Synod.
Canon III.
The great Synod has stringently forbidden any bishop, presbyter, deacon,
or any one of the clergy whatever, to have a subintroducta dwelling with him,
except only a mother, or sister, or aunt, or such persons only as are beyond
all suspicion.
Canon IV.
It is by all means proper that a bishop should be appointed by all the
bishops in the province; but should this be difficult, either on account of
urgent necessity or because of distance, three at least should meet together,
and the suffrages of the absent [bishops] also being given and communicated in
writing, then the ordination should take place. But in every province the
ratification of what is done should be left to the Metropolitan
Canon V.
Concerning those, whether of the clergy or of the laity, who have been
excommunicated in the several provinces, let the provision of the canon be
observed by the bishops which provides that persons cast out by some be not
readmitted by others. Nevertheless, inquiry should be made whether they have
been excommunicated through captiousness, or contentiousness, or any such like
ungracious disposition in the bishop. And, that this matter may have due
investigation, it is decreed that in every province synods shall be held twice
a year, in order that when all the bishops of the province are assembled
together, such questions may by them be thoroughly examined, that so those who
have confessedly offended against their bishop, may be seen by all to be for
just cause excommunicated, until it shall seem fit to a general meeting of the
bishops to pronounce a milder sentence upon them. And let these synods be held,
the one before Lent, (that the pure Gift may be offered to God after all
bitterness has been put away), and let the second be held about autumn.
Canon VI.
Let the ancient customs in Egypt, Libya and Pentapolis prevail, that the
Bishop of Alexandria have jurisdiction in all these, since the like is
customary for the Bishop of Rome also. Likewise in Antioch and the other
provinces, let the Churches retain their privileges. And this is to be
universally understood, that if any one be made bishop without the consent of
the Metropolitan, the great Synod has declared that such a man ought not to be
a bishop. If, however, two or three bishops shall from natural love of
contradiction, oppose the common suffrage of the rest, it being reasonable and
in accordance with the ecclesiastical law, then let the choice of the majority
prevail.
Canon VII.
Since custom and ancient tradition have prevailed that the Bishop of
Aelia [i.e., Jerusalem] should be honored, let him, saving its due
dignity to the Metropolis, have the next place of honor.
Canon VIII.
Concerning those who call themselves Cathari, if they come over to the
Catholic and Apostolic Church, the great and holy Synod decrees that they who
are ordained shall continue as they are in the clergy. But it is before all
things necessary that they should profess in writing that they will observe and
follow the dogmas of the Catholic and Apostolic Church; in particular that they
will communicate with persons who have been twice married, and with those who
having lapsed in persecution have had a period [of penance] laid upon them, and
a time [of restoration] fixed so that in all things they will follow the dogmas
of the Catholic Church. Wheresoever, then, whether in villages or in cities,
all of the ordained are found to be of these only, let them remain in the
clergy, and in the same rank in which they are found. But if they come over
where there is a bishop or presbyter of the Catholic Church, it is manifest
that the Bishop of the Church must have the bishop's dignity; and he who was
named bishop by those who are called Cathari shall have the rank of presbyter,
unless it shall seem fit to the Bishop to admit him to partake in the honor of
the title. Or, if this should not be satisfactory, then shall the bishop
provide for him a place as Chorepiscopus, or presbyter, in order that he may be
evidently seen to be of the clergy, and that there may not be two bishops in
the city.
Canon IX.
If any presbyters have been advanced without examination, or if upon
examination they have made confession of crime, and men acting in violation of
the canon have laid hands upon them, notwithstanding their confession, such the
canon does not admit; for the Catholic Church requires that [only] which is
blameless.
Canon X.
If any who have lapsed have been ordained through the ignorance, or even
with the previous knowledge of the ordainers, this shall not prejudice the
canon of the Church for when they are discovered they shall be deposed.
Canon XI.
Concerning those who have fallen without compulsion, without the spoiling
of their property, without danger or the like, as happened during the tyranny
of Licinius, the Synod declares that, though they have deserved no clemency,
they shall be dealt with mercifully. As many as were communicants, if they
heartily repent, shall pass three years among the hearers; for seven years they
shall be prostrators; and for two years they shall communicate with the people
in prayers, but without oblation
Canon XII.
As many as were called by grace, and displayed the first zeal, having
cast aside their military girdles, but afterwards returned, like dogs, to their
own vomit, (so that some spent money and by means of gifts regained their
military stations); let these, after they have passed the space of three years
as hearers, be for ten years prostrators. But in all these cases it is
necessary to examine well into their purpose and what their repentance appears
to be like. For as many as give evidence of their conversions by deeds, and not
pretence, with fear, and tears, and perseverance, and good works, when they
have fulfilled their appointed time as hearers, may properly communicate in
prayers; and after that the bishop may determine yet more favorably concerning
them. But those who take [the matter] with indifference, and who think the form
of [not] entering the Church is sufficient for their conversion, must fulfil
the whole time
Canon XIII.
Concerning the departing, the ancient canonical law is still to be
maintained, to wit, that, if any man be at the point of death, he must not be
deprived of the last and most indispensable Viaticum. But, if any one should be
restored to health again who has received the communion when his life was
despaired of, let him remain among those who communicate in prayers only. But
in general, and in the case of any dying person whatsoever asking to receive
the Eucharist, let the Bishop, after examination made, give it him.
Canon XIV.
Concerning catechumens who have lapsed, the holy and great Synod has
decreed that, after they have passed three years only as hearers, they shall
pray with the catechumens
Canon XV.
ON account of the great disturbance and discords that occur, it is
decreed that the custom prevailing in certain places contrary to the Canon,
must wholly be done away; so that neither bishop, presbyter, nor deacon shall
pass from city to city. And if any one, after this decree of the holy and great
Synod, shall attempt any such thing, or continue in any such course, his
proceedings shall be utterly void, and he shall be restored to the Church for
which he was ordained bishop or presbyter
Canon XVI.
Neither presbyters, nor deacons, nor any others enrolled among the
clergy, who, not having the fear of God before their eyes, nor regarding the
ecclesiastical Canon, shall recklessly remove from their own church, ought by
any means to be received by another church; but every constraint should be
applied to restore them to their own parishes; and, if they will not go, they
must be excommunicated. And if anyone shah dare surreptitiously to carry off
and in his own Church ordain a man belonging to another, without the consent of
his own proper bishop, from whom although he was enrolled in the clergy list he
has seceded, let the ordination be void
Canon XVII.
Forasmuch as many enrolled among the Clergy, following covetousness and
lust of gain, have forgotten the divine Scripture, which says, "He hath
not given his money upon usury," and in lending money ask the hundredth of
the sum [as monthly interest], the holy and great Synod thinks it just that if
after this decree any one be found to receive usury, whether he accomplish it
by secret transaction or otherwise, as by demanding the whole and one half, or by
using any other contrivance whatever for filthy lucre's sake, he shall be
deposed from the clergy and his name stricken from the list.
Canon XVIII.
IT has come to the knowledge of the holy and great Synod that, in some
districts and cities, the deacons administer the Eucharist to the presbyters,
whereas neither canon nor custom permits that they who have no right to offer
should give the Body of Christ to them that do offer. And this also has been
made known, that certain deacons now touch the Eucharist even before the
bishops. Let all such practices be utterly done away, and let the deacons
remain within their own bounds, knowing that they are the ministers of the
bishop and the inferiors of the presbyters. Let them receive the Eucharist
according to their order, after the presbyters, and let either the bishop or
the presbyter administer to them. Furthermore, let not the deacons sit among
the presbyters, for that is contrary to canon and order. And if, after this
decree, any one shall refuse to obey, let him be deposed from the Deaconate.
Canon XIX.
Concerning the Paulianists who have flown for refuge to the Catholic
Church, it has been decreed that they must by all means be rebaptized; and if
any of them who in past time have been numbered among their clergy should be
found blameless and without reproach, let them be rebaptized and ordained by
the Bishop of the Catholic Church; but if the examination should discover them
to be unfit, they ought to be deposed. Likewise in the case of their
deaconesses, and generally in the case of those who have been enrolled among
their clergy, let the same form be observed. And we mean by deaconesses such as
have assumed the habit, but who, since they have no imposition of hands, are to
be numbered only among the laity.
Canon XX.
Forasmuch as there are certain persons who kneel on the Lord's Day and in
the days of Pentecost, therefore, to the intent that all things may be
uniformly observed everywhere (in every parish), it seems good to the holy
Synod that prayer be made to God standing.
THE
CANONS OF THE COUNCILS OF ANCYRA, GANGRA NEOCAESAREA, ANTIOCH AND LAODICEA
Canon I.
With regard to those presbyters who have offered sacrifices and
afterwards returned to the conflict, not with hypocrisy, but in sincerity, it
has seemed good that they may retain the honor of their chair; provided they
had not used management, arrangement, or persuasion, so as to appear to be
subjected to the torture, when it was applied only in seeming and pretence.
Nevertheless it is not lawful for them to make the oblation, nor to preach, nor
in short to perform any act of sacerdotal function.
Canon II.
IT is likewise decreed that deacons who have sacrificed and afterwards
resumed the conflict, shall enjoy their other honors, but shall abstain from every
sacred ministry, neither bringing forth the bread and the cup, nor making
proclamations. Nevertheless, if any of the bishops shall observe in them
distress of mind and meek humiliation, it shall be lawful to the bishops to
grant more indulgence, or to take away [what has been granted].
Canon III.
Those who have fled and been apprehended, or have been betrayed by their
servants; or those who have been otherwise despoiled of their goods, or have
endured tortures, or have been imprisoned and abused, declaring themselves to
be Christians; or who have been forced to receive something which their
persecutors violently thrust into their hands, or meat [offered to idols],
continually professing that they were Christians; and who, by their whole
apparel, and demeanor, and humility of life, always give evidence of grief at
what has happened; these persons, inasmuch as they are free from sin, are not
to be repelled from the communion; and if, through an extreme strictness or
ignorance of some things, they have been repelled, let them forthwith be
re-admitted. This shall hold good alike of clergy and laity. It has also been
considered whether laymen who have fallen under the same compulsion may be
admitted to orders, and we have decreed that, since they have in no respect
been guilty, they may be ordained; provided their past course of life be found
to have been upright.
Canon IV.
Concerning those who have been forced to sacrifice, and who, in addition,
have partaken of feasts in honor of the idols; as many as were haled away, but
afterwards went up with a cheerful countenance, and wore their costliest
apparel, and partook with indifference of the feast provided; it is decreed
that all such be hearers for one year, and prostrators for three years, and
that they communicate in prayers only for two years, and then return to full
communion.
Canon V.
As many, however, as went up in mourning attire and sat down and ate,
weeping throughout the whole entertainment, if they have fulfilled the three
years as prostrators, let them be received without oblation; and if they did
not eat, let them be prostrators two years, and in the third year let them
communicate without oblation, so that in the fourth year they may be received
into full communion. But the bishops have the right, after considering the
character of their conversion, either to deal with them more leniently, or to
extend the time. But, first of all, let their life before and since be
thoroughly examined, and let the indulgence be determined accordingly.
Canon VI.
Concerning those who have yielded merely upon threat of penalties and of
the confiscation of their goods, or of banishment, and have sacrificed, and who
till this present time have not repented nor been converted, but who now, at
the time of this synod, have approached with a purpose of conversion, it is
decreed that they be received as hearers till the Great Day, and that after the
Great Day they be prostrators for three years, and for two years more
communicate without oblation, and then come to full communion, so as to
complete the period of six full years. And if any have been admitted to penance
before this synod, let the beginning of the six years be reckoned to them from
that time. Nevertheless, if there should be any danger or prospect of death
whether from disease or any other cause, let them be received, but under
limitation.
Canon VII.
Concerning those who have partaken at a heathen feast in a place
appointed for heathens, but who have brought and eaten their own meats, it is
decreed that they be received after they have been prostrators two years; but
whether with oblation, every bishop must determine after he has made
examination into the rest of their life.
Canon VIII.
Let those who have twice or thrice sacrificed under compulsion, be
prostrators four years, and communicate without oblation two years, and the
seventh year they shall be received to full communion.
Canon IX.
As many as have not merely apostatized, but have risen against their
brethren and forced them [to apostatize], and have been guilty of their being
forced, let these for three years take the place of hearers, and for another
term of six years that of prostrators, and for another year let them
communicate without oblation, in order that, when they have fulfilled the space
of ten years, they may partake of the communion; but during this time the rest
of their life must also be inquired into.
Canon X.
They who have been made deacons, declaring when they were ordained that
they must marry, because they were not able to abide so, and who afterwards
have married, shall continue in their ministry, because it was conceded to them
by the bishop. But if any were silent on this matter, undertaking at their
ordination to abide as they were, and afterwards proceeded to marriage, these
shall cease from the Deaconate.
Canon XI.
IT is decreed that virgins who have been betrothed, and who have
afterwards been carried off by others, shall be restored to those to whom they
had formerly been betrothed, even though they may have suffered violence from
the ravisher.
Canon XII.
IT is decreed that they who have offered sacrifice before their baptism,
and were afterwards baptized, may be promoted to orders, inasmuch as they have
been cleansed.
Canon XIV.
IT is decreed that among the clergy, presbyters and deacons who abstain
from flesh shall taste of it, and afterwards, if they shall so please, may
abstain. But if they disdain it, and will not even eat herbs served with flesh,
but disobey the canon, let them be removed from their order
Canon XV.
Concerning things belonging to the church, which presbyters may have sold
when there was no bishop, it is decreed that the Church property shall be
reclaimed; and it shall be in the discretion of the bishop whether it is better
to receive the purchase price, or not; for oftentimes the revenue of the things
sold might field them the greater value.
Canon XVI.
Let those who have been or who are guilty of bestial lusts, if they have
sinned while under twenty years of age, be prostrators fifteen years, and
afterwards communicate in prayers; then, having passed five years in this
communion, let them have a share in the oblation. But let their life as
prostrators be examined, and so let teem receive indulgence; and if any have
been insatiable in their crimes, then let their time of prostration be
prolonged. And if any who have passed this age and had wives, have fallen into
this sin, let them be prostrators twenty-five years, and then communicate in
prayers; and, after they have been five years in the communion of prayers, let
them share the oblation. And if any married men of more than fifty years of age
have so sinned, let them be admitted to communion only at the point of death
Canon XVII.
Defilers of themselves with beasts, being also leprous, who have infected
others [with the leprosy of this crime], the holy Synod commands to pray among
the hie-mantes.
Canon XIX.
IF any persons who profess virginity shall disregard their profession,
let them fulfil the term of digamists. And, moreover, we prohibit women who are
virgins from living with men as sisters.
Canon I.
The Faith of the Three Hundred and Eighteen Fathers assembled at Nice in
Bithynia shall not be set aside, but shall remain firm. And every heresy shall
be anathematized, particularly that of the Eunomians or [Anomoeans, the Arians
or] Eudoxians, and that of the Semi-Arians or Pneumatomachi, and that of the
Sabellians, and that of the Marcellians, and that of the Photinians, and that
of the Apollinarians
Canon II.
The bishops are not to go beyond their dioceses to churches lying outside
of their bounds, nor bring confusion on the churches; but let the Bishop of
Alexandria, according to the canons, alone administer the affairs of Egypt; and
let the bishops of the East manage the East alone, the privileges of the Church
in Antioch, which are mentioned in the canons of Nice, being preserved; and let
the bishops of the Asian Diocese administer the Asian affairs only; and the
Pontic bishops only Pontic matters; and the Thracian bishops only Thracian
affairs. And let not bishops go beyond their dioceses for ordination or any
other ecclesiastical ministrations, unless they be invited. And the aforesaid
canon concerning dioceses being observed, it is evident that the synod of every
province will administer the affairs of that particular province as was decreed
at Nice. But the Churches of God in heathen nations must be governed according
to the custom which has prevailed from the times of the Fathers
Canon III.
The Bishop of Constantinople, however, shall have the prerogative of
honor after the Bishop of Rome; because Constantinople is New Rome.
Canon IV.
Concerning Maximus the Cynic and the disorder which has happened in
Constantinople on his account, it is decreed that Maximus never was and is not
now a Bishop; that those who have been ordained by him are in no order whatever
of the clergy; since all which has been done concerning him or by him, is
declared to be invalid.
Canon V.
(Probably adopted at a Council held in Constantinople the next year, 382.
Vide. Introduction on the number of the Canons.)
IN regard to the tome of the Western [Bishops], we receive those in
Antioch also who confess the unity of the Godhead of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Canon VI.
(Probably adopted at a Council held in Constantinople the next year, 382.
Vide Introduction on the number of Canons.)
Forasmuch as many wishing to confuse and overturn ecclesiastical order,
do contentiously and slanderously fabricate charges against the orthodox
bishops who have the administration of the Churches, intending nothing else
than to stain the reputation of the priests and raise up disturbances amongst
the peaceful laity; therefore it seemed right to the Holy Synod of Bishops
assembled together in Constantinople, not to admit accusers without
examination; and neither to allow all persons whatsoever to bring accusations
against the rulers of the Church, nor, on the other hand, to exclude all. If
then, any one shall bring a private complaint against the Bishop, that is, one
relating to his own affairs, as, for example, that he has been defrauded, or
otherwise unjustly treated by him, in such accusations no examination shall be
made, either of the person or of the religion of the accuser; for it is by all
means necessary that the conscience of the Bishop should be free, and that he
who says he has been wronged should meet with righteous judgment, of whatever
religion he may be. But if the charge alleged against the Bishop be that of
some ecclesiastical offence, then it is necessary to examine carefully the
persons of the accusers, so that, in the first place, heretics may not be
suffered to bring accusations touching ecclesiastical matters against orthodox
bishops. And by heretics we mean both those who were aforetime cast out and
those whom we ourselves have since anathematized, and also those professing to
hold the true faith who have separated from our canonical bishops, and set up
conventicles in opposition [to them]. Moreover, if there be any who have been
condemned for faults and cast out of the Church, or excommunicated, whether of
the clergy or the laity, neither shall it be lawful for these to bring an
accusation against the bishop, until they have cleared away the charge against
themselves. In like manner, persons who are under previous accusations are not
to be permitted to bring charges against a bishop or any other clergyman, until
they shall have proved their own innocence of the accusation brought against
them. But if any, being neither heretics, nor excommunicate, nor condemned, nor
under previous accusation for alleged faults, should declare that they have any
ecclesiastical charge against the bishop, the Holy Synod bids them first lay
their charges before all the Bishops of the Province, and before them prove the
accusations, whatsoever they may be, which they have brought against the
bishop. And if the comprovincials should be unable rightly to settle the
charges brought against the bishop, then the parties must betake themselves to
a greater synod of the bishops of that diocese called together for this
purpose; and they shall not produce their allegations before they have promised
in writing to undergo an equal penalty to be exacted from themselves, if, in
the course of the examination, they shall be proved to have slandered the
accused bishop. And if anyone, despising what has been decreed concerning these
things, shall presume to annoy the ears of the Emperor, or the courts of
temporal judges, or, to the dishonor of all the Bishops of his Province, shall
trouble an Ecumenical Synod, such an one shall by no means be admitted as an
accuser; forasmuch as he has east contempt upon the Canons, and brought
reproach upon the order of the Church.
Canon VII.
Those who from heresy turn to orthodoxy, and to the portion of those who
are being saved, we receive according to the following method and custom:
Arians, and Macedonians, and Sabbatians, and Novatians, who call themselves
Cathari or Aristori, and Quartodecimans or Tetradites, and Apollinarians, we
receive, upon their giving a written renunciation [of their errors] and
anathematize every heresy which is not in accordance with the Holy, Catholic,
and Apostolic Church of God. Thereupon, they are first sealed or anointed with
the holy oil upon the forehead, eyes, nostrils, mouth, and ears; and when we
seal them, we say, "The Seal of the gift of the Holy Ghost." But
Eunomians, who are baptized with only one immersion, and Montanists, who are
here called Phrygians, and Sabellians, who teach the identity of Father and
Son, and do sundry other mischievous things, and [the partisans of] all other
heresies-for there are many such here, particularly among those who come from
the country of the Galatians:-all these, when they desire to turn to orthodoxy,
we receive as heathen. On the first day we make them Christians; on the second,
catechumens; on the third, we exorcise them by breathing thrice in their face
and ears; and thus we instruct them and oblige them to spend some time in the
Church, and to hear the Scriptures; and then we baptize them.
I.
If anyone says that the Emmanuel is true God, and not rather God with us,
that is, that he has united himself to a like nature with ours, which he
assumed from the Virgin Mary, and dwelt in it; and if anyone calls Mary the
mother of God the Word, and not rather mother of him who is Emmanuel; and if he
maintains that God the Word has changed himself into the flesh, which he only
assumed in order to make his Godhead visible, and to be found in form as a man,
let him be anathema.
II.
If any one asserts that, at the union of the Logos with the flesh, the divine
Essence moved from one place to another; or says that the flesh is capable of
receiving the divine nature, and that it has been partially united with the
flesh; or ascribes to the flesh, by reason of its reception of God, an
extension to the infinite and boundless, and says that God and man are one and
the same in nature; let him be anathema.
III.
IF anyone shah after the [hypostatic] union divide the hypostasis in the
one Christ, joining them by that connection alone, which happens according to
worthiness, or even authority and power, and not rather by a coming together (suno/dw), which is made by natural
union let him be anathema.
IV.
If any one assigns the expressions of the Gospels and Apostolic letters, which
refer to the two natures of Christ, to one only of those natures, and even
ascribes suffering to the divine Word, both in the flesh and in the Godhead;
let him be anathema.
V.
If any one ventures to say that, even after the assumption of human
nature, there is only one Son of God, namely, he who is so in nature
(naturaliter filius=Logos), while he (Since the assumption of the flesh) is
certainly Emmanuel; let him be anathema
VI.
If anyone, after the Incarnation calls another than Christ the Word, and ventures
to say that the form of a servant is equally with the Word of God, without
beginning and uncreated, and not rather that it is made by him as its natural
Lord and Creator and God, and that he has promised to raise it again in the
words: "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will build it up
again"; let him be anathema.
VII.
If any one says that the man who was formed of the Virgin is the
Only-begotten, who was born from the bosom of the Father, before the morning
star was (Ps. cix., 3)1
, and does not rather confess that he has obtained the desig- nation of
Only-begotten on account of his connection with him who in nature is the
Only-begotten of the Father; and besides, if any one calls another than the
Emmanuel Christ let him be anathema.
VIII.
IF anyone shall dare to say that the assumed man (a0nalhfqe/nta) ought to be worshipped
together with God the Word, and glorified together with him, and recognized together
with him as God, and yet as two different things, the one with the other (for
this " Together with" is added [i. e., by the Nestorians] to convey
this meaning); and shall not rather with one adoration worship the Emmanuel and
pay to him one glorification, as [it is written] "The Word was made
flesh": let him be anathema
IX.
If anyone says that the form of a servant is of like nature with the Holy
Ghost, and not rather that it owes its union with the Word which has existed
since the conception, to his mediation, by which it works miraculous healings
among men, and possesses the power of expelling demons; let him be anathema.
THE
FOURTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL.; THE COUNCIL OF CHALCEDON
Canon I.
WE have judged it fight that the canons of the Holy Fathers made in every
synod even until now, should remain in force.
Canon II.
IF any Bishop should ordain for money, and put to sale a grace which
cannot be sold, and for money ordain a bishop, or Chorepiscopus, or presbyters,
or deacons, or any other of those who are counted among the clergy; or if
through lust of gain he should nominate for money a steward, or advocate, or
prosmonarius, or any one whatever who is on the roll of the Church, let him who
is convicted of this forfeit his own rank; and let him who is ordained be
nothing profited by the purchased ordination or promotion; but let him be
removed from the dignity or charge he has obtained for money. And if any one
should be found negotiating such shameful and unlawful transactions, let him
also, if he is a clergyman, be deposed from his rank, and if he is a layman or
monk, let him be anathematized.
Canon III.
IT has come to [the knowledge of] the holy Synod that certain of those
who are enrolled among the clergy have, through lust of gain, become hirers of
other men's possessions, and make contracts pertaining to secular affairs,
lightly esteeming the service of God, and slip into the houses of secular
persons, whose property they undertake through covetousness to manage.
Wherefore the great and holy Synod decrees that henceforth no bishop,
clergyman, nor monk shall hire possessions, or engage in business, or occupy
himself in worldly engagements, unless he shall be called by the law to the
guardianship of minors, from which there is no escape; or unless the bishop of
the city shall commit to him the care of ecclesiastical business, or of
unprovided orphans or widows and of persons who stand especially in need of the
Church's help, through the fear of God. And if any one shall hereafter
transgress these decrees, he shall be subjected to ecclesiastical penalties
Canon IV.
Let those who truly and sincerely lead the monastic life be counted
worthy of becoming honor; but, forasmuch as certain persons using the pretext
of monasticism bring confusion both upon the churches and into political
affairs by going about promiscuously in the cities, and at the same time
seeking to establish Monasteries for themselves; it is decreed that no one
anywhere build or found a monastery or oratory contrary to the will of the
bishop of the city; and that the monks in every city and district shall be
subject to the bishop, and embrace a quiet course of life, and give themselves
only to fasting and prayer, remaining permanently in the places in which they
were set apart; and they shall meddle neither in ecclesiastical nor in secular
affairs, nor leave their own monasteries to take part in such; unless, indeed,
they should at any time through urgent necessity be appointed thereto by the
bishop of the city. And no slave shall be received into any monastery to become
a monk against the will of his master. And if any one shall transgress this our
judgment, we have decreed that he shall be excommunicated, that the name of God
be not blasphemed. But the bishop of the city must make the needful provision
for the monasteries.
Canon V.
Concerning bishops or clergymen who go about from city to city, it is
decreed that the canons enacted by the Holy Fathers shall still retain their
force.
Canon VI.
Neither presbyter, deacon, nor any of the ecclesiastical order shall be
ordained at large, nor unless the person ordained is particularly appointed to
a church in a city or village, or to a martyry, or to a monastery. And if any
have been ordained without a charge, the holy Synod decrees, to the reproach of
the ordainer, that such an ordination shall be inoperative, and that such shall
nowhere be suffered to officiate.
Canon VII.
WE have decreed that those who have once been enrolled among the clergy,
or have been made monks, shall accept neither a military charge nor any secular
dignity; and if they shall presume to do so and not repent in such wise as to
turn again to that which they had first chosen for the love of God, they shall
be anathematized.
Canon VIII.
Let the clergy of the poor-houses, monasteries, and martyries remain
under the authority of the bishops in every city according to the tradition of
the holy Fathers; and let no one arrogantly cast off the rule of his own
bishop; and if any shall contravene this canon in any way whatever, and will
not be subject to their own bishop, if they be clergy, let them be subjected to
canonical censure, and if they be monks or laymen, let them be excommunicated.
Canon IX.
IF any Clergyman have a matter against another clergyman, he shall not forsake
his bishop and run to secular courts; but let him first lay open the matter
before his own Bishop, or let the matter be submitted to any person whom each
of the parties may, with the Bishop's consent, select. And if any one shall
contravene these decrees, let him be subjected to canonical penalties. And if a
clergyman have a complaint against his own or any other bishop, let it be
decided by the synod of the province. And if a bishop or clergyman should have
a difference with the metropolitan of the province, let him have recourse to
the Exarch of the Diocese, or to the throne of the Imperial City of
Constantinople, and there let it be tried.
Canon X.
IT shall not be lawful for a clergyman to be at the same time enrolled in
the churches of two cities, that is, in the church in which he was at first
ordained, and in another to which, because it is greater, he has removed from
lust of empty honor. And those who do so shall be returned to their own church
in which they were originally ordained, and there only shall they minister. But
if any one has heretofore been removed from one church to another, he shall not
intermeddle with the affairs of his former church, nor with the martyries,
almshouses, and hostels belonging to it. And if, after the decree of this great
and ecumenical Synod, any shall dare to do any of these things now forbidden,
the synod decrees that he shall be degraded from his rank.
Canon XI.
WE have decreed that the poor and those needing assistance shall travel,
after examination, with letters merely pacifical from the church, and not with
letters commendatory, inasmuch as letters commendatory ought to be given only
to persons who are open to suspicion
Canon XII.
IT has come to our knowledge that certain persons, contrary to the laws
of the Church, having had recourse to secular powers, have by means of imperial
rescripts divided one Province into two, so that there are consequently two
metropolitans in one province; therefore the holy Synod has decreed that for
the future no such thing shall be at- tempted by a bishop, since he who shall
undertake it shall be degraded from his rank. But the cities which have already
been honored by means of imperial letters with the name of metropolis, and the
bishops in charge of them, shall take the bare title, all metropolitan rights
being preserved to the true Metropolis.
Canon XIII.
Strange and unknown clergymen without letters commendatory from their own
Bishop, are absolutely prohibited from officiating in another city.
Canon XIV.
Since in certain provinces it is permitted to the readers and singers to
marry, the holy Synod has decreed that it shall not be lawful for any of them
to take a wife that is heterodox. But those who have already begotten children
of such a marriage, if they have already had their children baptized among the
heretics, must bring them into the communion of the Catholic Church; but if
they have not had them baptized, they may not hereafter baptize them among
heretics, nor give them in marriage to a heretic, or a Jew, or a heathen,
unless the person marrying the orthodox child shall promise to come over to the
orthodox faith. And if any one shah transgress this decree of the holy synod,
let him be subjected to canonical censure.
Canon XV.
A Woman shall not receive the laying on of hands as a deaconess under
forty years of age, and then only after searching examination. And if, after
she has had hands laid on her and has continued for a time to minister, she
shall despise the grace of God and give herself in marriage, she shall be anathematized
and the man united to her.
Canon XVII.
Outlying or rural parishes shall in every province remain subject to the
bishops who now have jurisdiction over them, particularly if the bishops have
peaceably and continuously governed them for the space of thirty years. But if
within thirty years there has been, or is, any dispute concerning them, it is
lawful for those who hold themselves aggrieved to bring their cause before the
synod of the province. And if any one be wronged by his metropolitan, let the
matter be decided by the Exarch of the diocese or by the throne of
Constantinople, as aforesaid. And if any city has been, or shall hereafter be
newly erected by imperial authority, let the order of the ecclesiastical
parishes follow the political and municipal example.
Canon XVIII.
The crime of conspiracy or banding together is utterly prohibited even by
the secular law, and much more ought it to be forbidden in the Church of God.
Therefore, if any, whether clergymen or monks, should be detected in conspiring
or banding together, or hatching plots against their bishops or fellow-clergy,
they shall by all means be deposed from their own rank.
Canon XIX.
Whereas it has come to our ears that in the provinces the Canonical
Synods of Bishops are not held, and that on this account many ecclesiastical
matters which need reformation are neglected; therefore, according to the
canons of the holy Fathers, the holy Synod decrees that the bishops of every
province shall twice in the year assemble together where the bishop of the
Metropolis shall approve, and shall then settle whatever matters may have
arisen. And bishops, who do not attend, but remain in their own cities, though
they are in good health and free from any unavoidable and necessary business,
shall receive a brotherly admonition.
Canon XX.
It shall not be lawful, as we have already decreed, for clergymen
officiating in one church to be appointed to the church of another city, but
they shall cleave to that in which they were first thought worthy to minister;
those, however, being excepted, who have been driven by necessity from their
own country, and have therefore removed to another church. And if, after this
decree, any bishop shall receive a clergyman belonging to another bishop, it is
decreed that both the received and the receiver shall be excommunicated until
such time as the clergyman who has removed shall have returned to his own
church.
Canon XXI.
Clergymen and laymen bringing charges against bishops or clergymen are
not to be received loosely and without examination, as accusers, but their own
character shall first be investigated.
Canon XXII.
IT is not lawful for clergymen, after the death of their bishop, to seize
what belongs to him, as has been forbidden also by the ancient canons; and
those who do so shall be in danger of degradation from their own rank.
Canon XXIII.
IT has come to the hearing of the holy Synod that certain clergymen and
monks, having no authority from their own bishop, and sometimes, indeed, while
under sentence of excommunication by him, betake themselves to the imperial
Constantinople, and remain there for a long time, raising disturbances and
troubling the ecclesiastical state, and turning men's houses upside down.
Therefore the holy Synod has determined that such persons be first notified by
the Advocate of the most holy Church of Constantinople to depart from the
imperial city; and if they shall shamelessly continue in the same practices,
that they shall be expelled by the same Advocate even against their will, and
return to their own places.
Canon XXIV.
Monasteries, which have once been consecrated with the consent of the
bishop, shall remain monasteries for ever, and the property belonging to them
shall be preserved, and they shall never again become secular dwellings. And
they who shall permit this to be done shall be liable to ecclesiastical
penalties.
Canon XXV.
Forasmuch as certain of the metropolitans, as we have heard, neglect the
flocks committed to them, and delay the ordinations of bishops the holy Synod
has decided that the ordinations of bishops shall take place within three
months, unless an inevitable necessity should some time require the term of
delay to be prolonged. And if he shall not do this, he shall be liable to
ecclesiastical penalties, and the income of the widowed church shall be kept
safe by the steward of the same Church.
Canon XXVI.
Forasmuch as we have heard that in certain churches the bishops managed
the church-business without stewards, it has seemed good that every church
having a bishop shall have also a steward from among its own clergy, who shall
manage the church business under the sanction of his own bishop; that so the
administration of the church may not be without a witness; and that thus the
goods of the church may not be squandered, nor reproach be brought upon the
priesthood; and if he [i.e., the Bishop] will not do this, he shall be
subjected to the divine canons.
Canon XXVII.
The holy Synod has decreed that those who forcibly carry off women under
pretence of marriage, and the alders or abettors of such ravishers, shall be
degraded if clergymen, and if laymen be anathematized.
Canon XXVIII.
Following in all things the decisions of the holy Fathers, and
acknowledging the canon, which has been just read, of the One Hundred and Fifty
Bishops beloved-of-God (who assembled in the imperial city of Constantinople,
which is New Rome, in the time of the Emperor Theodosius of happy memory), we
also do enact and decree the same things concerning the privileges of the most
holy Church of Constantinople, which is New Rome. For the Fathers rightly
granted privileges to the throne of old Rome, because it was the royal city.
And the One Hundred and Fifty most religious Bishops, actuated by the same
consideration, gave equal privileges (isa
presbeia) to the most holy throne of New Rome, justly judging that the
city which is honored with the Sovereignty and the Senate, and enjoys equal
privileges with the old imperial Rome, should in ecclesiastical matters also be
magnified as she is, and rank next after her; so that, in the Pontic, the
Asian, and the Thracian dioceses, the metropolitans only and such bishops also
of the Dioceses aforesaid as are among the barbarians, should be ordained by the
aforesaid most holy throne of the most holy Church of Constantinople; every
metropolitan of the aforesaid dioceses, together with the bishops of his
province, ordaining his own provincial bishops, as has been declared by the
divine canons; but that, as has been above said, the metropolitans of the
aforesaid Dioceses should be ordained by the archbishop of Constantinople,
after the proper elections have been held according to custom and have been
reported to him.
I.
If anyone shall not confess that the nature or essence of the Father, of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is one, as also the force and the power; [if
anyone does not confess] a consubstantial Trinity, one Godhead to be worshipped
in three subsistences or Persons: let him be anathema. For there is but one God
even the Father of whom are all things, and one Lord Jesus Christ through whom
are all things, and one Holy Spirit in whom are all things.
II.
If anyone shall not confess that the Word of God has two nativities, the
one from all eternity of the Father, without time and without body; the other
in these last days, coming down from heaven and being made flesh of the holy
and glorious Mary, Mother of God and always a virgin, and born of her: let him
be anathema.
III.
IF anyone shall say that the wonder-working Word of God is one [Person]
and the Christ that suffered another; or shall say that God the Word was with
the woman-born Christ, or was in him as one person in another, but that he was
not one and the same our Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God, incarnate and made
man, and that his miracles and the sufferings which of his own will he endured
in the flesh were not of the same [Person]: let him be anathema.
IV.
If anyone shall say that the union of the Word of God to man was only
according to grace or energy, or dignity, or equality of honor, or authority,
or relation, or effect, or power, or according to good pleasure in this sense
that God the Word was pleased with a man, that is to say, that he loved him for
his own sake, as says the senseless Theodorus, or [if anyone pretends that this
union exists only] so far as likeness of name is concerned, as the Nestorians
understand, who call also the Word of God Jesus and Christ, and even accord to
the man the names of Christ and of Son, speaking thus clearly of two persons,
and only designating disingenuously one Person and one Christ when the
reference is to his honor, or his dignity, or his worship; if anyone shall not
acknowledge as the Holy Fathers teach, that the union of God the Word is made
with the flesh animated by a reasonable and living soul, and that such union is
made synthetically and hypostatically, and that therefore there is only one
Person, to wit: our Lord Jesus Christ, one of the Holy Trinity: let him be
anathema. As a matter of fact the word "union" (thj enwsewj) has many meanings, and the
partisans of Apollinaris and Eutyches have affirmed that these natures are
confounded inter se, and have asserted a union produced by the mixture of both.
On the other hand the followers of Theodorus and of Nestorius rejoicing in the
division of the natures, have taught only a relative union. Meanwhile the Holy
Church of God, condemning equally the impiety of both sorts of heresies,
recognizes the union of God the Word with the flesh synthetically, that is to
say, hypostatically. For in the mystery of Christ the synthetical union not
only preserves unconfusedly the natures which are united, but also allows no
separation.
V.
If anyone understands the expression "one only Person of our Lord
Jesus Christ" in this sense, that it is the union of many hypostases, and
if he attempts thus to introduce into the mystery of Christ two hypostases, or
two Persons, and, after having introduced two persons, speaks of one Person
only out of dignity, honor or worship, as both Theodorus and Nestorius insanely
have written; if anyone shall calumniate the holy Council of Chalcedon,
pretending that it made use of this expression [one hypostasis] in this impious
sense, and if he will not recognize rather that the Word of God is united with
the flesh hypostatically, and that therefore there is but one hypostasis or one
only Person, and that the holy Council of Chalcedon has professed in this sense
the one Person of our Lord Jesus Christ: let him be anathema. For since one of
the Holy Trinity has been made man, viz.: God the Word, the Holy Trinity has
not been increased by the addition of another person or hypostasis.\
VI.
IF anyone shall not call in a true acceptation, but only in a false
acceptation, the holy, glorious, and ever-virgin Mary, the Mother of God, or
shall call her so only in a relative sense, believing that she bare only a
simple man and that God the word was not incarnate of her, but that the
incarnation of God the Word resulted only from the fact that he united himself
to that man who was born [of her];1
if he shall calumniate the Holy Synod of Chalcedon as though it had asserted
the Virgin to be Mother of God according to the impious sense of Theodore; or
if anyone shall call her the mother of a man anqrwpotokon or the Mother of Christ (Xristotokon), as if Christ were not God, and
shall not confess that she is exactly and truly the Mother of God, because that
God the Word who before all ages was begotten of the Father was in these last
days made flesh and born of her, and if anyone shall not confess that in this
sense the holy Synod of Chalcedon acknowledged her to be the Mother of God: let
him be anathema.
VII.
IF anyone using the expression, "in two natures," does not
confess that our one Lord Jesus Christ has been revealed in the divinity and in
the humanity, so as to designate by that expression a difference of the natures
of which an ineffable union is unconfusedly made, [a union] in which neither
the nature of the Word was changed into that of the flesh, nor that of the
flesh into that of the Word, for each remained that it was by nature, the union
being hypostatic; but shall take the expression with regard to the mystery of
Christ in a sense so as to divide the parties, or recognizing the two natures
in the only Lord Jesus, God the Word made man, does not content himself with
taking in a theoretical manner2
the difference of the natures which compose him, which difference is not
destroyed by the union between them, for one is composed of the two and the two
are in one, but shall make use of the number [two] to divide the natures or to
make of them Persons properly so called: let him be anathema.3
VIII.
IF anyone uses the expression "of two natures," confessing that
a union was made of the Godhead and of the humanity, or the expression
"the one nature made flesh of God the Word," and shall not so
understand those expressions as the holy Fathers have taught, to wit: that of
the divine and human nature there was made an hypostatic union, whereof is one
Christ; but from these expressions shall try to introduce one nature or
substance [made by a mixture] of the Godhead and manhood of Christ; let him be
anathema. For in teaching that the only-begotten Word was united hypostatically
[to humanity] we do not mean to say that there was made a mutual confusion of
natures, but rather each [nature] remaining what it was, we understand that the
Word was united to the flesh. Wherefore there is one Christ, both God and man,
consubstantial with the Father as touching his Godhead, and consubstantial with
us as touching his manhood. Therefore they are equally condemned and
anathematized by the Church of God, who divide or part the mystery of the
divine dispensation of Christ, or who introduce confusion into that mystery.
IX.
IF anyone shall take the expression, Christ ought to be worshipped in his
two natures, in the sense that he wishes to introduce thus two adorations, the
one in special relation to God the Word and the other as pertaining to the man;
or if anyone to get rid of the flesh, [that is of the humanity of Christ,] or
to mix together the divinity and the humanity, shall speak monstrously of one
only nature or essence (fusin hgoun
ousian) of the united (natures), and so worship Christ, and does not
venerate, by one adoration, God the Word made man, together with his flesh, as
the Holy Church has taught from the beginning: let him be anathema.X.
IF anyone does not confess that our Lord Jesus Christ who was crucified
in the flesh is true God and the Lord of Glory and one of the Holy Trinity: let
him be anathema.XI.
IF anyone does not anathematize Arius, Eunomius, Macedonius, Apollinaris,
Nestorius, Eutyches and Origen, as well as their impious writings, as also all
other heretics already condemned and anathematized by the Holy Catholic and
Apostolic Church, and by the aforesaid four Holy Synods and [if anyone does not
equally anathematize] all those who have held and hold or who in their impiety
persist in holding to the end the same opinion as those heretics just
mentioned: let him be anathema
The
Anathemas Against Origen.
I.
Whoever says or thinks that human souls pre-existed, i.e., that they had
previously been spirits and holy powers, but that, satiated with the vision of
God, they had turned to evil, and in this way the divine love in them had died
out (apyugeisaj) and they had
therefore become souls (yukaj)
and had been condemned to punishment in bodies, shall be anathema.
II.
If anyone says or thinks that the soul of the Lord pre-existed and was
united with God the Word before the Incarnation and Conception of the Virgin,
let him be anathema.
III.
If anyone says or thinks that the body of our Lord Jesus Christ was first
formed in the womb of the holy Virgin and that afterwards there was united with
it God the Word and the pre-existing soul, let him be anathema.
IV.
If anyone says or thinks that the Word of God has become like to all
heavenly orders, so that for the cherubim he was a cherub, for the seraphim a
seraph: in short, like all the superior powers, let him be anathema.
V.
If anyone says or thinks that, at the resurrection, human bodies will
rise spherical in form and unlike our present form, let him be anathema.
VI.
If anyone says that the heaven, the sun, the moon, the stars, and the
waters that are above heavens, have souls, and are reasonable beings, let him
be anathema.
VII.
If anyone says or thinks that Christ the Lord in a future time will be
crucified for demons as he was for men, let him be anathema.
VIII.
If anyone says or thinks that the power of God is limited, and that he
created as much as he was able to compass, let him be anathema.
IX.
If anyone says or thinks that the punishment of demons and of impious men
is only temporary, and will one day have an end, and that a restoration (apokatastasij) will take place of demons and
of impious men, let him be anathema.
Anathema to Origen and to that Adamantius, who set forth these opinions
together with his nefarious and execrable and wicked doctrine2
and to whomsoever there is who thinks thus, or defends these opinions, or in
any way hereafter at any time shall presume to protect them.
THE
SIXTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL.; THE THIRD COUNCIL OF CONSTANTINOPLE
(Found in the Acts, Session
XVIII., L. and C., Concilia, Tom. VI., col. 1019.)
The holy, great, and Ecumenical Synod which has been assembled by the
grace of God, and the religious decree of the most religious and faithful and
mighty Sovereign Constantine, in this God-protected and royal city of
Constantinople, New Rome, in the Hall of the imperial Palace, called Trullus,
has decreed as follows.
The only-begotten Son, and Word of God the Father, who was made man in
all things like unto us without sin, Christ our true God, has declared
expressly in the words of the Gospel, "I am the light of the world he that
followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of
life." And again, "My peace I leave with, you, my peace I give unto
you." Our most gentle Sovereign, the champion of orthodoxy, and opponent
of evil doctrine, being reverentially led by this divinely uttered doctrine of
peace, and having convened this our holy and Ecumenical assembly, has united
the judgment of the whole Church. Wherefore this our holy and Ecumenical Synod
having driven away the impious error which had prevailed for a certain time
until now, and following closely the straight path of the holy and approved
Fathers, has piously given its full assent to the five holy and Ecumenical
Synods (that is to say, to that of the 318 holy Fathers who assembled in Nice
against the raging Arius; and the next in Constantinople of the 150
God-inspired men against Macedonius the adversary of the Spirit, and the
impious Apollinaris; and also the first in Ephesus of 200 venerable men
convened against Nestorius the Judaizer; and that in Chalcedon of 630
God-inspired Fathers against Eutyches and Dioscorus hated of God; and in
addition to these, to the last, that is the Fifth holy Synod assembled in this
place, against Theodore of Mopsuestia, Origen, Didymus, and Evagrius, and the
writings of Theodoret against the Twelve Chapters of the celebrated Cyril, and
the Epistle which was said to be written by Ibas to Maris the Persian),
renewing in all things the ancient decrees of religion, and chasing away the
impious doctrines of irreligion. And this our holy and Ecumenical Synod
inspired of God has set its seal to the Creed which was put forth by the 318
Fathers, and again religiously confirmed by the 150, which also the other holy
synods cordially received and ratified for the taking away of every
soul-destroying heresy.
The Nicene Creed of the 318 holy Fathers.
We believe, etc.
The Creed of the 150 holy Fathers assembled at Constantinople. We
believe, etc.
The holy and Ecumenical Synod further says, this pious and orthodox Creed
of the Divine grace would be sufficient for the full knowledge and confirmation
of the orthodox faith. But as the author of evil, who, in the beginning,
availed himself of the aid of the serpent, and by it brought the poison of
death upon the human race, has not desisted, but in like manner now, having
found suitable instruments for working out his will (we mean Theodorus, who was
Bishop of Pharan, Sergius, Pyrrhus, Paul and Peter, who were Archbishops of
this royal city, and moreover, Honorius who was Pope of the elder Rome, Cyrus
Bishop of Alexandria, Macarius who was lately bishop of Antioch, and Stephen
his disciple), has actively employed them in raising up for the whole Church the
stumbling-blocks of one will and one operation in the two natures of Christ our
true God, one of the Holy Trinity; thus disseminating, in novel terms, amongst
the orthodox people, an heresy similar to the mad and wicked doctrine of the
impious Apollinaris, Severus, and Themistius, and endeavouring craftily to
destroy the perfection of the incarnation of the same our Lord Jesus Christ,
our God, by blasphemously representing his flesh endowed with a rational soul
as devoid of will or operation. Christ, therefore, our God, has raised up our
faithful Sovereign, a new David, having found him a man after his own heart,
who as it is written, "has not suffered his eyes to sleep nor his eyelids
to slumber," until he has found a perfect declaration of orthodoxy by this
our God-collected and holy Synod; for, according to the sentence spoken of God,
"Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the
midst of them," the present holy and Ecumenical Synod faithfully receiving
and saluting with uplifted hands as well the suggestion which by the most holy
and blessed Agatho, Pope of ancient Rome, was sent to our most pious and
faithful Emperor Constantine, which rejected by name those who taught or
preached one will and one operation in the dispensation of the incarnation of
our Lord Jesus Christ who is our very God, has likewise adopted that other
synodal suggestion which was sent by the Council held under the same most holy
Pope, composed of 125 Bishops, beloved of God, to his God-instructed tranquillity,
as consonant to the holy Council of Chalcedon and to the Tome of the most holy
and blessed Leo, Pope of the same old Rome, which was directed to St. Flavian,
which also this Council called the Pillar of the right faith; and also agrees
with the Synodal Epistles which were written by Blessed Cyril against the
impious Nestorius and addressed to the Oriental Bishops. Following the five
holy Ecumenical Councils and the holy and approved Fathers, with one voice
defining that our Lord Jesus Christ must be confessed to be very God and very
man, one of the holy and consubstantial and life-giving Trinity, perfect in
Deity and perfect in humanity, very God and very man, of a reasonable soul and
human body subsisting; consubstantial with the Father as touching his Godhead
and consubstantial with us as touching his manhood; in all things like unto us,
sin only excepted; begotten of his Father before all ages according to his
Godhead, but in these last days for us men and for our salvation made man of
the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary, strictly and properly the Mother of God
according to the flesh; one and the same Christ our Lord the only-begotten Son
of two natures unconfusedly, unchangeably, inseparably indivisibly to be
recognized, the peculiarities of neither nature being lost by the union but
rather the proprieties of each nature being preserved, concurring in one Person
and in one subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons but one and the
same only-begotten Son of God, the Word, our Lord Jesus Christ, according as
the Prophets of old have taught us and as our Lord Jesus Christ himself hath
instructed us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers hath delivered to us; defining
all this we likewise declare that in him are two natural wills and two natural
operations indivisibly, inconvertibly, inseparably, inconfusedly, according to
the teaching of the holy Fathers. And these two natural wills are not contrary
the one to the other (God forbid!) as the impious heretics assert, but his
human will follows and that not as resisting and reluctant, but rather as
subject to his divine and omnipotent will. For it was right that the flesh
should be moved but subject to the divine will, according to the most wise
Athanasius. For as his flesh is called and is the flesh of God the Word, so
also the natural will of his flesh is called and is the proper will of God the
Word, as he himself says: "I came down from heaven, not that I might do
mine own will but the will of the Father which sent me!" where he calls
his own will the will of his flesh, inasmuch as his flesh was also his own. For
as his most holy and immaculate animated flesh was not destroyed because it was
deified but continued in its own state and nature (orw te kai logw), so also his human will,
although deified, was not suppressed, but was rather preserved according to the
saying of Gregory Theologus: "His will [i.e., the Savior's] is not
contrary to God but altogether deified."
We glorify two natural operations indivisibly, immutably, inconfusedly,
inseparably in the same our Lord Jesus Christ our true God, that is to say a
divine operation and a human operation, according to the divine preacher Leo,
who most distinctly asserts as follows: "For each form (morfh) does in communion with the other what
pertains properly to it, the Word, namely, doing that which pertains to the
Word, and the flesh that which pertains to the flesh."
For we will not admit one natural operation in God and in the creature,
as we will not exalt into the divine essence what is created, nor will we bring
down the glory of the divine nature to the place suited to the creature.
We recognize the miracles and the sufferings as of one and the same
[Person], but of one or of the other nature of which he is and in which he
exists, as Cyril admirably says. Preserving therefore the inconfusedness and
indivisibility, we make briefly this whole confession, believing our Lord Jesus
Christ to be one of the Trinity and after the incarnation our true God, we say
that his two natures shone forth in his one subsistence in which he both
performed the miracles and endured the sufferings through the whole of his
economic conversation (di oolhj autou
thj oikonomkhj anastrofhj), and that not in appearance only but in very
deed, and this by reason of the difference of nature which must be recognized
in the same Person, for although joined together yet each nature wills and does
the things proper to it and that indivisibly and inconfusedly. Wherefore we
confess two wills and two operations, concurring most fitly in him for the
salvation of the human race.
These firings, therefore, with all diligence and care having been
formulated by us, we define that it be permitted to no one to bring forward, or
to write, or to compose, or to think, or to teach a different faith. Whosoever
shall presume to compose a different faith, or to propose, or teach, or hand to
those wishing to be converted to the knowledge of the truth, from the Gentiles
or Jews, or from any heresy, any different Creed; or to introduce a new voice
or invention of speech to subvert these things which now have been determined
by us, all these, if they be Bishops or clerics let them be deposed, the
Bishops from the Episcopate, the clerics from the clergy; but if they be monks
or laymen: let them be anathematized.
Canon I.
That order is best of all which makes every word and act begin and end in
God. Wherefore that piety may be clearly set forth by us and that the Church of
which Christ is the foundation may be continually increased and advanced, and
that it may be exalted above the cedars of Lebanon; now therefore we, by divine
grace at the beginning of our decrees, define that the faith set forth by the
God-chosen Apostles who themselves had both seen and were ministers of the Word,
shall be preserved without any innovation, unchanged and inviolate.
Moreover the faith of the three hundred and eighteen holy and blessed
fathers who were assembled at Nice under Constantine our Emperor, against the
impious Arius, and the gentile diversity of deity or rather (to speak
accurately) multitude of gods taught by him, who by the unanimous
acknowledgment of the faithful revealed and declared to us the
consubstantiality of the Three Persons comprehended in the Divine Nature, not
suffering this faith to lie hidden under the bushel of ignorance, but openly
teaching the faithful to adore with one worship the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Ghost, confuting and scattering to the winds the opinion of different
grades, and demolishing and overturning the puerile toyings fabricated out of
sand by the heretics against orthodoxy.
Likewise also we confirm that faith which was set forth by the one
hundred and fifty fathers who in the time of Theoriesins the Elder, our
Emperor, assembled in this imperial city, accepting their decisions with regard
to the Holy Ghost in assertion of his godhead, and expelling the profane
Macedonius (together with all previous enemies of the truth) as one who dared
to judge Him to be a servant who is Lord, and who wished to divide, like a
robber, the inseparable unity, so that there might be no perfect mystery of our
faith.
And together with this odious and detestable contender against the truth,
we condemn Apollinaris, priest of the same iniquity, who impiously belched
forth that the Lord assumed a body unendowed with a soul,1
thence also inferring that his salvation wrought for us was imperfect.
Moreover what things were set forth by the two hundred God-bearing
fathers in the city of Ephesus in the days of Theodosius our Emperor, the son
of Arcadius; these doctrines we assent to as the unbroken strength of piety,
teaching that Christ the incarnate Son of God is one; and declaring that she who
bare him without human seed was the immaculate Ever-Virgin, glorifying her as
literally and in very truth the Mother of God. We condemn as foreign to the
divine scheme the absurd division of Nestorius, who teaches that the one Christ
consists of a man separately and of the Godhead separately and renews the
Jewish impiety.
Moreover we confirm that faith which at Chalcedon, the Metropolis, was
set forth in accordance with orthodoxy by the six hundred and thirty
God-approved fathers in the time of Marcian, who was our Emperor, which handed
down with a great and mighty voice, even unto the ends of the earth, that the
one Christ, the son of God, is of two natures, and must be glorified2
in these two natures, and which cast forth from the sacred precincts of the
Church as a black pestilence to be avoided, Eutyches, babbling stupidly and
inanely, and teaching that the great mystery of the incarnation (oikonwmiaj) was perfected in thought only.
And together with him also Nestorius and Dioseorus of whom the former was the
defender and champion of the division, the latter of the confusion [of the two
natures in the one Christ], both of whom fell away from the divergence of their
impiety to a common depth of perdition and denial of God.
Also we recognize as inspired by the Spirit the pious voices of the one
hundred and sixty-five God-beating fathers who assembled in this imperial city
in the time of our Emperor Justinian of blessed memory, and we teach them to
those who come after us; for these synodically anathematized and execrated
Theodore of Mopsuestia (the teacher of Nestorius), and Origen, and Didymus, and
Evagrius, all of whom reintroduced feigned Greek myths, and brought back again
the circlings of certain bodies and souls, and deranged turnings [or
transmigrations] to the wanderings or dreamings of their minds, and impiously
insulting the resurrection of the dead. Moreover [they condemned] what things
were written by Theodoret against the right faith and against the Twelve
Chapters of blessed Cyril, and that letter which is said to have been written
by Ibas.
Also we agree to guard untouched the faith of the Sixth Holy Synod, which
first assembled in this imperial city in the time of Constantine, our Emperor,
of blessed memory, which faith received still greater confirmation from the
fact that the pious Emperor ratified with his own signet that which was written
for the security of future generations. This council taught that we should
openly profess our faith that in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, our true God,
there are two natural wills or volitions and two natural operations; and
condemned by a just sentence those who adulterated the true doctrine and taught
the people that in the one Lord Jesus Christ there is but one will and one
operation; to wit, Theodore of Pharan, Cyrus of Alexandria, Honorius of Rome,
Sergius, Pyrrhus, Paul and Peter, who were bishops of this God-preserved city;
Macarius, who was bishop of Antioch; Stephen, who was his disciple, and the
insane Polychronius, depriving them henceforth from the communion of the body
of Christ our God.
And, to say so once for all, we decree that the faith shall stand firm
and remain unsullied until the end of the world as well as the writings
divinely handed down and the teachings of all those who have beautified and
adorned the Church of God and were lights in the world, having embraced the
word of life. And we reject and anathematize those whom they rejected and anathematized,
as being enemies of the truth, and as insane ragers against God, and as lifters
up of iniquity.
But if any one at all shall not observe and embrace the aforesaid pious
decrees, and teach and preach in accordance therewith, but shall attempt to set
himself in opposition thereto, let him be anathema, according to the decree
already promulgated by the up-proved holy and blessed Fathers, and let him be
cast out and stricken off as an alien from the number of Christians. For our
decrees add nothing to the things previously defined, nor do they take anything
away, nor have we any such power
Canon II.
IT has also seemed good to this holy Council, that the eighty-five
canons, received and ratified by the holy and blessed Fathers before us, and
also handed down to us in the name of the holy and glorious Apostles should
from this time forth remain firm and unshaken for the cure of souls and the
healing of disorders. And in these canons we are bidden to receive the
Constitutions of the Holy Apostles [written] by Clement. But formerly through
the agency of those who erred from the faith certain adulterous matter was
introduced, clean contrary to piety, for the polluting of the Church, which
obscures the elegance and beauty of the divine decrees in their present form.
We therefore reject these Constitutions so as the better to make sure of the
edification and security of the most Christian flock; by no means admitting the
offspring of heretical error, and cleaving to the pure and perfect doctrine of
the Apostles. But we set our seal likewise upon all the other holy canons set
forth by our holy and blessed Fathers, that is, by the 318 holy God-bearing
Fathers assembled at Nicea, and those at Ancyra, further those at Neo-Caesarea
and likewise those at Gangra, and besides, those at Antioch in Syria: those too
at Laodicea in Phrygia: and likewise the 150 who assembled in this
heaven-protected royal city: and the 200 who assembled the first time in the
metropolis of the Ephesians, and the 630 holy and blessed Fathers at Chalcedon.
In like manner those of Sardica, and those of Carthage: those also who again
assembled in this heaven-protected royal city under its bishop Nectarins and
Theophilus Archbishop of Alexandria. Likewise too the Canons [i.e. the decretal
letters] of Dionysius, formerly Archbishop of the great city of Alexandria; and
of Peter, Archbishop of Alexandria and Martyr; of Gregory the Wonder-worker,
Bishop of NeoCaesarea; of Athanasius, Archbishop of Alexandria; of Basil,
Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia; of Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa; of Gregory
Theologus; of Amphilochius of Iconium; of Timothy, Archbishop of Alexandria; of
Theophilus, Archbishop of the same great city of Alexandria; of Cyril,
Archbishop of the same Alexandria; of Gennadius, Patriarch of this
heaven-protected royal city. Moreover the Canon set forth by Cyprian,
Archbishop of the country of the Africans and Martyr, and by the Synod under
him, which has been kept only in the country of the aforesaid Bishops,
according to the custom delivered down to them. And that no one be allowed to
transgress or disregard the aforesaid canons, or to receive others beside them,
supposititiously set forth by certain who have attempted to make a traffic of
the truth. But should any one be convicted of innovating upon, or attempting to
overturn, any of the aforementioned canons, he shall be subject to receive the
penalty which that canon imposes, and to be cured by it of his transgression.
Canon III.
Since our pious and Christian Emperor has addressed this holy and
ecumenical council, in order that it might provide for the purity of those who
are in the list of the clergy, and who transmit divine things to others, and
that they may be blameless ministrants, and worthy of the sacrifice of the
great God, who is both Offering and High Priest, a sacrifice apprehended by the
intelligence: and that it might cleanse away the pollutions wherewith these
have been branded by unlawful marriages: now whereas they of the most holy
Roman Church purpose to keep the rule of exact perfection, but those who are
under the throne of this heaven-protected and royal city keep that of kindness
and consideration, so blending both together as our fathers have done, and as
the love of God requires, that neither gentleness fall into license, nor
severity into harshness; especially as the fault of ignorance has reached no
small number of men, we decree, that those who are involved in a second
marriage, and have been slaves to sin up to the fifteenth of the past month of
January, in the past fourth Indiction, the 6109th year, and have not resolved
to repent of it, be subjected to canonical deposition: but that they who are
involved in this disorder of a second marriage, but before our decree have
acknowledged what is fitting, and have cut off their sin, and have put far from
them this strange and illegitimate connection, or they whose wives by second
marriage are already dead, or who have turned to repentance of their own
accord, having learnt continence, and having quickly forgotten their former
iniquities, whether they be presbyters or deacons, these we have determined
should cease from all priestly ministrations or exercise, being under
punishment for a certain time, but should retain the honor of their seat and
station, being satisfied with their seat before the laity and begging with
tears from the Lord that the transgression of their ignorance be pardoned them:
for unfitting it were that he should bless another who has to tend his own
wounds. But those who have been married to one wife, if she was a widow, and
likewise those who after their ordination have unlawfully entered into one
marriage that is, presbyters, and deacons, and subdeacons, being debarred for
some short time from sacred ministration, and censured, shall be restored again
to their proper rank, never advancing to any further rank, their unlawful
marriage being openly dissolved. This we decree to hold good only in the case
of those that are involved in the aforesaid faults up to the fifteenth (as was
said) of the month of January, of the fourth Indiction, decreeing from the
present time, and renewing the Canon which declares, that he who has been
joined in two marriages after his baptism, or has had a concubine, cannot be
bishop, or presbyter, or deacon, or at all on the sacerdotal list; in like
manner, that he who has taken a widow, or a divorced person, or a harlot, or a
servant, or an actress, cannot be bishop, or presbyter, or deacon, or at all on
the sacerdotal list.
Canon IV.
IF any bishop, presbyter, deacon, sub-deacon, lector, cantor, or
door-keeper has had intercourse with a woman dedicated to God, let him be
deposed, as one who has corrupted a spouse of Christ, but if a layman let him
be cut off.
Canon V.
Let none of those who are on the priestly list possess any woman or maid
servant, beyond those who are enumerated in the canon as being persons free
from suspicion, preserving himself hereby from being implicated in any blame.
But if anyone transgresses our decree let him be deposed. And let eunuchs also
observe the same rule, that by foresight they may be free of censure. But those
who transgress, let them be deposed, if indeed they are clerics; but if laymen
let them be excommunicated.
Canon VI.
Since it is declared in the apostolic canons that of those who are
advanced to the clergy unmarried, only lectors and cantors are able to marry;
we also, maintaining this, determine that henceforth it is in nowise lawful for
any subdeacon, deacon or presbyter after his ordination to contract matrimony
but if he shall have dared to do so, let him be deposed. And if any of those
who enter the clergy, wishes to be joined to a wife in lawful marriage before
he is ordained subdeacon, deacon, or presbyter, let it be done.
Canon I.
(Greek.)
Hosius, bishop of the city of Corduba, said: A prevalent evil, or rather
most mischievous corruption must be done away with from its very foundations.
Let no bishop be allowed to remove from a small city to a different one: as
there is an obvious reason for this fault, accounting for such attempts; since
no bishop could ever yet be found who endeavored to be translated from a larger
city to a smaller one. It is therefore evident that such persons are inflamed
with excessive covetousness and are only serving ambition in order to have the
repute of possessing greater authority. Is it then the pleasure of all that so
grave an abuse be punished with great severity? For I think that men of this
sort should not be admitted even to lay communion. All the bishops said: It is
the pleasure of all.
(Latin.)
Bishop Hosius said: A prevalent evil and mischievous corruption must be
done away with from its foundation. Let no bishop be allowed to remove from his
own city to another. For the reason of such attempts is manifest, since in this
matter no bishop has been found who would remove from a larger city to a
smaller one. It is therefore evident that these men are inflamed with excess of
covetousness, and are serving ambition and aiming at the possession of power.
If it be the pleasure of all, let so great an evil be punished right harshly
and sternly, so that he who is such shall not even be admitted to lay
communion. All with one accord answered: Such is our pleasure.
Canon II.
(Greek.)
Bishop Hosius said: But if any such person should be found so mad or
audacious as to think to advance by way of excuse an affirmation that he had
brought letters from the people [laity], it is plain that some few persons,
corrupted by bribes and rewards, could have got up an uproar in the church,
demanding, forsooth, the said man for bishop. I think then that practices and
devices of such sort absolutely must be punished, so that a man of this kind be
deemed unworthy even of lay communion in extremis. Do ye therefore make answer
whether this sentence is approved by you. They [the bishops] answered: What has
been said is approved of. (Latin.)
Bishop Hosius said: Even if any such person should show himself so rash
as perhaps to allege as an excuse and affirm that he has received letters from
the people, inasmuch as it is evident that a few persons could have been
corrupted by rewards and bribes-[namely] persons who do not hold the pure
faith-to raise an uproar in the church, and seem to ask for the said man as
bishop; I judge that these frauds must be condemned, so that such an one should
not receive even lay communion at the last. If ye all approve, do ye decree it.
The synod answered: We approve.
Canon III.
(Greek.)
Bishop Hosius said: This also it is necessary to add,-that no bishop pass
from his own province to another province in which there are bishops, unless
indeed he be called by his brethren, that we seem not to close the gates of
charity.
And this case likewise is to be provided for, that if in any province a
bishop has some matter against his brother and fellow-bishop, neither of the
two should call in as arbiters bishops from another province.
But if perchance sentence be given against a bishop in any matter and he
supposes his case to be not unsound but good, in order that the question may be
reopened, let us, if it seem good to your charity, honor the memory of Peter
the Apostle, and let those who gave judgment write to Julius, the bishop of
Rome, so that, if necessary, the case may be retried by the bishops of the
neighboring provinces and let him appoint arbiters; but if it cannot be shown
that his case is of such a sort as to need a new trial, let the judgment once
given not be annulled, but stand good as before. (Latin.)
Bishop Hosius said: This also it is necessary to add,-that bishops shall
not pass from their own province to another province in which there are
bishops, unless perchance upon invitation from their brethren, that we seem not
to close the door of charity.
But if in any province a bishop have a matter in dispute against his
brother bishop, one of the two shall not call in as judge a bishop from another
province.
But if judgment, have gone against a bishop in any cause, and he think
that he has a good case, in order that the question may be reopened, let us, if
it be your pleasure, honor the memory of St. Peter the Apostle, and let those
who tried the case write to Julius, the bishop of Rome, and if he shall judge
that the case should be retried, let that be done, and let him appoint judges;
but if he shall find that the case is of such a sort that the former decision
need not be disturbed, what he has decreed shall be confirmed. Is this the
pleasure of all? The synod answered, It is our pleasure.
Canon IV.
(Greek.)
Bishop Gaudentius said: If it seems good to you, it is necessary to add
to this decision full of sincere charity which thou hast pronounced, that1
if any bishop be deposed by the sentence of these neighboring bishops, and
assert that he has fresh matter in defense, a new bishop be not settled in his
see, unless the bishop of Rome judge and render a decision as to this. (Latin.)
Bishop Gaudentius said: It ought to be added, if it be your pleasure, to
this sentence full of sanctity which thou hast pronounced, that-when any bishop
has been deposed by the judgment of those bishops who have sees in neighboring
places, and he [the bishop deposed] shall announce that his case is to be
examined in the city of Rome-that no other bishop shall in any wise be ordained
to his see, after the appeal of him who is apparently deposed, unless the case
shall have been determined in the judgment of the Roman bishop.
Canon V.
(Greek.)
Bishop Hosius said: Decreed, that if any bishop is accused, and the
bishops of the same region assemble and depose him from his office, and he
appealing, so to speak, takes refuge with the most blessed bishop of the Roman
church, and he be willing to give him a hearing, and think it right to renew
the examination of his case, let him be pleased to write to those
fellow-bishops who are nearest the province that they may examine the
particulars with care and accuracy and give their votes on the matter in
accordance with the word of truth. And if any one require that his case be
heard yet again, and at his request it seem good to move the bishop of Rome to
send presbyters a latere, let it be in the power of that bishop, according as
he judges it to be good and decides it to be right-that some be sent to be
judges with the bishops and invested with his authority by whom they were sent.
And be this also ordained. But if he think that the bishops are sufficient for
the examination and decision of the matter let him do what shall seem good in
his most prudent judgment.
The bishops answered: What has been said is approved. (Latin.)
Bishop Hosius said: Further decreed, that if a bishop is accused, and the
bishops of that region assemble and depose him from his office, if he who has
been deposed shall appeal and take refuge with the bishop of the Roman church
and wishes to be given a hearing, if he think it right that the trial or
examination of his case be renewed, let him be pleased to write to those
bishops who are in an adjacent and neighboring province, that they may
diligently inquire into all the particulars and decide according to the word of
truth. But if he who asks to have his case reheard, shall by his entreaty move
the Bishop of Rome to send a presbyter a latere it shall be in the power of
that bishop to do what he shall resolve and determine upon; and if he shall
decide that some be sent, who shall be present and be judges with the bishops
invested with his authority by whom they were appointed, it shall be as he shall
choose. But if he believe that the bishops suffice to give a final decision, he
shall do what he shall determine upon in his most wise judgment
Canon VI.
(Greek.)
Bishop Hosius said: If it happen that in a province in which there are
very many bishops one bishop should stay away and by some negligence should not
come to the council and assent to the appointment made by the bishops, but the
people assemble and pray that the ordination of the bishop desired by them take
place-it is necessary that the bishop who stayed away should first be reminded
by letters from the Exarch of the province (I mean, of course, the bishop of
the metropolis), that the people demand a pastor to be given them. I think that
it is well to await his [the absent bishop's] arrival also. But if after
summons by letter he does not come, nor even write in reply, the wish of the
people ought to be complied with.
The bishops from the neighboring provinces also should be invited to the
ordination of the bishop of the metropolis.
It is positively not permitted to ordain a bishop in a village or petty
town, for which even one single presbyter is sufficient (for there is no
necessity to ordain a bishop there) lest the name and authority of bishop
should be made of small account, but the bishops of the province ought, as
before said, to ordain bishops in those cities in which there were bishops
previously; and if a city should be found with a population so large as to be
thought worthy of an episcopal see, let it receive one. Is this the pleasure of
all? All answered: It is our pleasure. (Latin.)
Bishop Hosius said: If it shall have happened, that in a province in
which there have been very many bishops, one [i.e., but one] bishop remains,
but that he by negligence has not chosen [to ordain] a bishop, and the people
have made application, the bishops of the neighboring province ought first to
address [by letter] the bishop who resides in that province, and show that the
people seek a ruler [i.e., pastor] for themselves and that this is right, so
that they also may come and with him ordain a bishop. But if he refuses to
acknowledge their written communication, and leaves it unnoticed, and writes no
reply, the people's request should be satisfied, so that bishops should come
from the neighboring province and ordain a bishop.
But permission is not to be given to ordain a bishop either in any
village, or in an unimportant city, for which one presbyter suffices, lest the
name and authority of bishop grow cheap. Those [bishops] who are invited from
another province ought not to ordain a bishop unless in the cities which have
[previously] had bishops, or in a city which is so important or so populous as
to be entitled to have a bishop. Is this the pleasure of all? The synod
replied: It is our pleasure.
Canon VII.
(Greek.)
Bishop Hosius said: Our importunity and great pertinacity and unjust
petitions have brought it about that we do not have as much favour and
confidence as we ought to enjoy. For many of the bishops do not intermit
resorting to the imperial Court, especially the Africans, who, as we have
learned from our beloved brother and fellow-bishop, Gratus, do not accept
salutary counsels, but so despise them that one man carries to the Court
petitions many and diverse and of no possible benefit to the Church, and does
not (as ought to be done and as is fitting) assist and help the poor and the
laity or the widows, but is intriguing to obtain worldly dignities and offices
for certain persons. This evil then causes enfeeblement [better, murmuring
(read tonqrusmon or tonqrusmon)], not without some scandal and
blame to us. But I account it quite proper for a bishop to give assistance to
one oppressed by some one, or to a widow suffering injustice, or, again, an
orphan robbed of his estate, always provided that these persons have a just
cause of petition.
If, then, beloved brethren, this seems good to all, do ye decree that no
bishop shall go to the imperial Court except those whom our most pious emperor
may summon by his own letters. Yet since it often happens that persons
condemned for their offences to deportation or banishment to an island, or who
have received some sentence or other, beg for mercy and seek refuge with the
Church [i.e., take sanctuary], such persons are not to be refused assistance,
but pardon should be asked for them without delay and without hesitation. If
this, then, is also your pleasure, do ye all vote assent.
All gave answer: Be this also decreed. (Latin.)
Bishop Hosius said: Importunities and excessive pertinacity and unjust
petitions have caused us to have too little favor or confidence, while certain
bishops cease not to go to the Court, especially the Africans, who (as we have
learned) spurn and contemn the salutary counsels of our most holy brother and
fellow-bishop, Gratus, so that they not only bring to the Court many and
diverse petitions (not for the good of the Church nor, as is usual and right,
to succor the poor or widows or orphans), but even seek to obtain worldly
dignities and offices for certain persons. This evil therefore stirs up at
times not only murmurings, but even scandals. But it is proper that bishops
should intercede for persons suffering from violence and oppression, afflicted
widows and defrauded orphans, provided, nevertheless, that these persons have a
just cause or petition.
If, then, brethren dearly beloved, such be your pleasure, do we decree
that no bishops go to the Court except those who may have been invited or
summoned by letters of the God-fearing emperor. But since it often happens that
those who are suffering from injustice or who are condemned for their offences
to deportation or banishment to an island, or, in short, have received some
sentence or other, seek refuge with the mercy of the Church, such persons
should be succored and pardon be begged for them without hesitation. Decree
this, therefore, if it be your pleasure.
All said: It is our pleasure and be it decreed.
Canon VIII.
(Greek.)
Bishop Hosius said: This also let your sagacity determine, that1
-inasmuch as this was decreed in order that a bishop might not fall under
censure by going to the Court-that if any have such petitions as we mentioned
above, they should send these by one of their deacons. For the person of a
subordinate does not excite jealousy, and what shall be granted [by the
Emperor] can thus be reported more quickly. All answered: Be this also decreed.
(Latin.)
Bishop Hosius said: This also your forethought should provide
for-inasmuch as ye have made this decree in order that the audacity of bishops
might not labor [or, be observed] to go to Court. Whosoever therefore shall
have or receive petitions such as we have mentioned above, let them send these
[each] by a deacon of his, because the person of a minister is not an object of
jealousy, and he will be able to report more quickly what he has obtained
Canon IX.
(Greek.)
Bishop Hosius said: This also, I think, follows, that,1
if in any province whatever, bishops send petitions to one of their brothers
and fellow-bishops, he that is in the largest city, that is, the metropolis,
should himself send his deacon and the petitions, providing him also with letters
commendatory, writing also of course in succession to our brethren and
fellow-bishops, if any of them should be staying at that time in the places or
cities in which the most pious Emperor is administering public affairs.
But if any of the bishops should have friends at the Court and should
wish to make requests of them as to some proper object, let him not be
forbidden to make such requests through his deacon and move these [friends] to
give their kind assistance as his desire.
But those who come to Rome ought, as I said before, to deliver to our
beloved brother and fellow-bishop, Julius, the petitions which they have to
give, in order that he may first examine them, lest some of them should be
improper, and so, giving them his own advocacy and care, shall send them to the
Court.
All the Bishops made answer that such was their pleasure and that the
regulation was most proper. (Latin.)
This also seems to follow, that from whatever province bishops shall send
petitions to that brother and fellow-bishop of ours who has his see in the
metropolis, he [the metropolitan] should dispatch his deacon with the
petitions, providing him with commendatory letters of like tenor to our
brethren and fellow-bishops at that time resident in those regions and cities
in which the fortunate and blessed Emperor is ruling the State.
If however a bishop who seeks to obtain some petition (a worthy one, that
is) has friends in the palace, he is not forbidden to make his request through
his deacon and to advise those who, he knows, can kindly intercede for him in
his absence
Canon X.
(Greeks.)
Bishop Hosius said: This also I think necessary.1
Ye should consider with all thoroughness and care, that if some rich man or
professional advocate be desired for bishop, he be not ordained until he have
fulfilled the ministry of reader, deacon, and presbyter, in order that, passing
by promotion through the several grades, he may advance (if, that is, he be
found worthy) to the height of the episcopate. And he shall remain in each
order assuredly for no brief time, that so Iris faith, his reputable life, his
steadfastness of character and considerateness of demeanor may be well-known,
and that he, being deemed worthy of the divine sacerdotal office [sacerdotium,
i.e., the episcopate] may enjoy the highest honor. For it is not fitting, nor
does discipline or good conversation allow to proceed to this act rashly or
lightly, so as to ordain a bishop or presbyter or deacon hastily; as thus he
would rightly be accounted a novice, especially since also the most blessed
Apostle, he who was the teacher of the Gentiles, is seen to have forbidden
hasty ordinations; for the test of [even] the longest period will not
unreasonably be required to exemplify the conversation and character of each
[candidate].All said that this was their pleasure and that it must be
absolutely irreversible. (Latin.)
Bishop Hosius said: This also I think it necessary for you to consider
most carefully, that if perchance some rich man or professional advocate or
ex-official be desired for bishop, he be not ordained until he have fulfilled
the ministry of a reader and the office of deacon and presbyter, and so ascend,
if he have shown himself worthy, through the several grades to the height of
the episcopate. For by these promotions which in any case take a considerable
length of time can be tested his faith, his discretion, his gravity and
modesty. And if he be found worthy, let him be honored with the divine
sacerdotal office [i.e. the episcopate]. For it is not fitting, nor does order
or discipline allow, that one be rashly or lightly ordained bishop, presbyter
or deacon, who is a novice, especially since also the blessed Apostle, the
teacher of the Gentiles, is seen to have expressly forbidden it. But those
[should be ordained] whose life has been tested and their merit approved by
length of time.
All said that this was their pleasure.
Canon XI.
(Greek.)
Bishop Hosius said: This also we ought to decree, that1
when a bishop comes from one city to another city, or from one province to
another province, to indulge boastfulness, ministering to his own praises
rather than serving religious devotion, and wishes to prolong his stay [in a
city], and the bishop of that city is not skilled in teaching, let him [the
visiting bishop] not do despite to the bishop of the place and attempt by frequent
discourses to disparage him and lessen his repute (for this device is wont to
cause tumults), and strive by such arts to solicit and wrest to himself
another's throne, not scrupling to abandon the church committed to him and to
procure translation to another. A definite limit of time should therefore be
set in such a case, especially since not to receive a bishop is accounted the
part of rude and discourteous persons. Ye remember that in former times our
fathers decreed that if a layman were staying in a city and should not come to
divine worship for three [successive] Sundays [that is], for three [full]
weeks, he should be repelled from communion. If then this has been decreed in
the case of laymen, it is neither needful, nor fitting, nor yet even expedient
that a bishop, unless he has some grave necessity or difficult business, should
be very long absent from his own church and distress the people committed to
him.
All the bishops said: We decide that this decree also is most proper.
(Latin.)
Bishop Hosius said: This also ye ought to determine. If a bishop comes
from one city to another city, or from his own province to another province,
and serving ambition rather than devotion, wishes to remain resident for a long
time in a strange city, and then (as it perchance happens that the bishop of
the place is not so practiced or so learned as himself) he, the stranger,
should begin to do him despite and deliver frequent discourses to disparage him
and lessen his repute, not hesitating by this device to leave the church
assigned him and remove to that which is another's-do ye then [in such a case]
set a limit of time [for his stay in the city], because on the one hand to
refuse to receive a bishop is discourteous, and on the other his too long stay
is mischievous. Provision must be made against this. I remember that in a
former council our brethren decreed that if any layman did not attend divine
service in a city in which he was staying three Sundays, that is, for three
weeks, he should be deprived of communion. If then this has been decreed in the
case of laymen, it is far less lawful and fitting that a bishop, if there be no
grave necessity detaining him, should be absent from his church longer than the
time above written. All said that such was their pleasure.
Canon XII.
(Greek.)
Bishop Hosius said: Since no case should be left unprovided for, let this
also be decreed.1
Some of our brethren and fellow-bishops are known to possess very little
private property in the cities in which they are placed as bishops, but have
great possessions in other places, with which they are, moreover, able to help
the poor. I think then permission should be given them, if they are to visit
their estates and attend to the gathering of the harvest, to pass three
Sundays, that is, to stay for three weeks, on their estates, and to assist at
divine worship and celebrate the liturgy in the nearest church in which, a
presbyter holds service, in order that they may not be seen to be absent from
worship, and in order that they may not come too frequently to the city in
which there is a bishop. In this way their private affairs will suffer no loss
from their absence and they will be seen to be clear from the charge of
ambition and arrogance.
All the bishops said: This decree also is approved by us. (Latin.)
Bishop Hosius said: Since no case should be left unprovided for [let this
also be decreed]. There are some of our brother-bishops, who do not reside in
the city in which they are appointed bishops, either because they have but
little property there, while they are known to have considerable estates
elsewhere, or, it may be, through affection for kith and kin and in
complaisance to these. Let this much be permitted them, to go to their estates
to superintend and dispose of their harvest, and [for this purpose] to remain
over three Sundays, that is, for three weeks, if it be necessary, on their
estates; or else, if there is a neighboring city in which there is a presbyter,
in order that they may not be seen to pass Sunday without church, let them go
thither, so that fin this way] neither will their private affairs suffer loss
from their absence, nor will they, by frequent going to the city in which a bishop
is resident, incur the suspicion of ambition and place-seeking. All said that
this was approved by them.
Canon XIII.
(Greek.)
Bishop Hosius said: Be this also the pleasure of all. `If any deacon or
presbyter or any of the clergy be excommunicated and take refuge with another
bishop who knows him and who is aware final he has been removed from communion
by his own bishop, [that other bishop] must not offend against his brother
bishop by admitting him to communion.1
And if any dare to do this, let him know that he must present himself before an
assembly of bishops and give account.'
All the bishops said: This decision will assure peace at all times and
preserve the concord of all. (Latin.)
Bishop Hosius said: Be this also the pleasure of all. If a deacon or
presbyter or any of the clergy be refused communion by his own bishop and go to
another bishop, and he with whom he has taken refuge shall know that he has
been repelled by his own bishop, then must he not grant him communion. But if
he shall do so, let him know that he must give account before an assembly of
bishops.
All said: This decision will preserve peace and maintain concord.
Canon XIV.
(Greek.)
Bishop Hosius said: I must not fail to speak of a matter which constantly
urgeth me.1
If a bishop be found quick to anger (which ought not to sway such a man), and
he, suddenly moved against a presbyter or deacon, be minded to cast him out of
the Church, provision must be made that such a one be not condemned too hastily
[or read aqwon, if innocent] and
deprived of communion.
All said: Let him that is cast out be authorized to take refuge with the
bishop of the metropolis of the same province. And if the bishop of the
metropolis is absent, let him hasten to the bishop that is nearest, and ask to
have his case carefully examined. For a hearing ought not to be denied those
who ask it.
And that bishop who cast out such a one, justly or unjustly, ought not to
take it ill that examination of the case be made, and his decision confirmed or
revised. But, until all the particulars have been examined with care and
fidelity, he who is excluded from communion ought not to demand communion in
advance of the decision of his case. And if any of the clergy who have met [to
hear the case] clearly discern arrogance and pretentiousness in him, inasmuch
as it is not fitting to suffer insolence or unjust censure, they ought to
correct such an one with somewhat harsh and grievous language, that men may
submit to and obey commands that are proper and right. For as the bishop ought
to manifest sincere love and regard to his subordinates, so those who are
subject to him ought in like manner to perform the duties of their ministry in
sincerity towards their bishops. (Latin.)
Bishop Hosius said: I must not fail to speak of a matter which further
moveth me. If some bishop is perchance quick to anger (which ought not to be
the case) and, moved hastily and violently against one of his presbyters or
deacons, be minded to cast him out of the Church, provision must be made that
an innocent man be not condemned or deprived of communion.
Therefore let him that is cast out be authorized to appeal to the
neighboring bishops and let his case be heard and examined into more
diligently. For a hearing ought not to be denied one who asks it.
And let that bishop who cast him out, justly or unjustly, take it
patiently that the matter is discussed, so that his sentence may either be
approved by a number judges] or else revised. Nevertheless, until all the
particulars shall be examined with care and fidelity, no one else ought to
presume to admit to communion him who was excluded therefrom in advance of the
decision of his case. If, however, those who meet to hear it observe arrogance
and pride in [such] clergy, inasmuch as it surely is not fitting for a bishop
to suffer wrong or insult, let them correct them with some severity of
language, that they may obey a bishop whose commands are proper and right. For
as he [the bishop] ought to manifest sincere love and charity to his clergy, so
his ministers ought for their part to render unfeigned obedience to their
bishop.
Canon XVIII. (of the Latin.)
Bishop Januarius said: Let your holiness also decree this, that no bishop
be allowed to try to gain for himself a minister in the church of a bishop of
another city and ordain him to one of his own parishes.
All said: Such is our pleasure, inasmuch as discord is apt to spring from
contentions in this matter, and therefore the sentence of us all forbids anyone
to presume to do
Canon XV.
(Greek.)
Bishop Hosius said: And let us all decree this also, that1
if any bishop should ordain to any order the minister of another from another
diocese without the consent of his own bishop, such an ordination should be
accounted invalid and not confirmed. And if any take upon themselves to do this
they ought to be admonished and corrected by our brethren and fellow-bishops.
All said: Let this decree also stand unalterable. (Latin.)
Bishop Hosius said: This also we all decree, that if any [bishop] should
ordain the minister of another from another diocese without the consent and
will of his own bishop, his ordination be not ratified. And whoever shall have
taken upon himself to do this ought to be admonished and corrected by our
brethren and fellow-bishops.
Canon XVI.
(Greek.)
Bishop Aetius said: Ye are not ignorant how important and how large is
the metropolitan city of Thessalonica. Accordingly presbyters and deacons often
come to it from other provinces and, not content with staying a short time,
remain and make it their permanent place of residence, or are compelled with
difficulty and after a very long delay to return to their own churches. A
decree should be made bearing on this matter.
Bishop Hosius said: Let those decrees which have been made in the case of
bishops, be observed as to these persons also. (Latin.)
Bishop Aetius said: Ye are not ignorant how large and important is the
city of Thessalonica. Presbyters and deacons often come to it from other
regions, and are not content to remain a short time, but either make their
residence there or at least are with difficulty compelled to return after a
long interval to their own place.
All said: Those limits of time which have been decreed in the case of
bishops ought to be observed as to these persons also
Canon XVII.
(Greek.)
AT the suggestion moreover of our brother Olympius,1
we are pleased to decree this also: That if a bishop suffer violence and is
unjustly cast out either on account of his discipline or for his confession of
[the faith of] the Catholic Church or for his defence of the truth, and,
fleeing from danger, although innocent and devout [or, innocent and being under
charge of high treason], comes to another city, let him not be forbidden to
stay there until he is restored or until deliverance can be found from the
violence and injustice that have been done him. For it would be harsh indeed
and most oppressive that one who has suffered unjust expulsion should not be
harbored by us; as such a man ought to be received with the greatest
consideration and cordiality.*
All said: This also is our pleasure. (Latin.)
AT the suggestion of our brother Olympius, we are pleased to decree this
also: That if any suffer violence and is unjustly cast out on account of his
discipline and his Catholic confession or for his defense of the truth, and,
fleeing from dangers, although innocent and devout, comes to another city, let him
not be forbidden to stay there until he can return or his wrong has been
redressed. For it is harsh and unfeeling that he who is suffering persecution
should not be received; indeed, great cordiality and abundant consideration
should be shown him.
All the synod said: All that has been decreed the Catholic Church spread
abroad throughout all the world will preserve and maintain.
And all the bishops of the various provinces who had assembled subscribed
thus: I, N., bishop of the city of N. and the province of N., so believe as
above is written.
Canon XVIII.
(Greek.)
Bishop Gaudentius said: Thou knowest, brother Aetius, that since thou
wast made bishop, peace hath continued to rule [in thy diocese]. In order that
no remnants of discord concerning ecclesiastics remain, it seems good that
those who were ordained by Musaeus and by Eutychianus, provided no fault be
found in them, should all be received. (This canon is wanting in the Latin.)
Canon XIX.
(Greek.)
Bishop Hosius said: This is the sentence of my mediocrity [i.e.,
unworthiness]-that, since we ought to be gentle and patient and to be constant
in compassion towards all, those who were once advanced to clerical office in
the Church by certain of our brethren, if they are not willing to return to the
churches to which they were nominated [or, espoused], should for the future not
be received, and that neither Eutychianus should continue to vindicate to
himself the name of bishop, nor yet that Musaeus be accounted a bishop; but
that if they should seek for lay communion, it should not be denied them. All
said: Such is our pleasure. (This canon is wanting in the Latin.)
Canon XX.
Van Espen.
After the words ["honor and dignity"] according to Balsamon and
Zonaras, as also Gentian Hervetus, there follows the approbation of the synod
in these words: "All answered, This opinion is becoming and well-pleasing
to us," which indicate this to be the end of the canon; and therefore the
Greeks make of this two distinct canons.
Dionysius and Isidore make but one canon, ... and this appears to be more
congruous on account of the subject-matter of the first part, and will be
manifest by connecting the two parts together.
Van Espen follows Zonaras and Balsamon in understanding "Bishops in
Canali," as such as were set on the public roads and public highways, or
rather "in cities which are on the public highways, or `Canals,' by which
they that pass go without labor, as in a canal or aqueduct the water flows, for
aqueduct and canal are the same thing in the Roman tongue."[After Canon
XX.]
(Greek.)
Bishop Gaudentius said: These things wholesomely, duly, and filly
decreed, in the estimation of us the bishops [twn ierewn] such as are pleasing both to God and to man will not
be able to obtain due force and validity, unless fear [of a penalty] be added
to the decrees proclaimed. For we ourselves know that through the shamelessness
of a few, the divine and right reverend title of bishop [of the thj ierwsunhj] hath often come into condemnation.
If therefore any one, moved by arrogance and ambition rather than seeking to
please God, should have the hardihood to pursue a different course of action,
contrary to the decree of all, let him know beforehand that he must give
account and defend himself on this charge, and lose the honor and dignity of
the episcopate.
Canon XII. (of the Latin Texts.)
Bishop Hosius said: But some discretion is here requisite, brethren
dearly beloved, in case some should come to those cities which are on the
highway still ignorant of what has been decreed in the council. The bishop of
such a city ought therefore to admonish him [a bishop so arriving], and
instruct him to send his deacon from that place. Upon this admonition he must,
however, himself return to his diocese.
Canon I.
That the sacred Canons are in all things to be observed.
The pattern for those who have received the sacerdotal dignity is found
in the testimonies and instructions laid down in the canonical constitutions,
which we receiving with a glad mind, sing unto the Lord God in the words of the
God-inspired David, saying: "I have had as great delight in the way of thy
testimonies as in all manner of riches." "Thou hast commanded righteousness
as thy testimonies for ever." "Grant me understanding and I shall
live." Now if the word of prophesy bids us keep the testimonies of God
forever and to live by them, it is evident that they must abide unshaken and
without change. Therefore Moses, the prophet of God, speaketh after this
manner: "To them nothing is to be added, and from them nothing is to be
taken away." And the divine Apostle glorying in them cries out,
"which things the angels desire to look into," and, "if an angel
preach to you anything besides that which ye have received, let him be
anathema." Seeing these things are so, being thus well-testified unto us,
we rejoice over them as he that hath found great spoil, and press to our bosom
with gladness the divine canons, holding fast all the precepts of the same,
complete and without change, whether they have been set forth by the holy
trumpets of the Spirit, the renowned Apostles, or by the Six Ecumenical
Councils, or by Councils locally assembled for promulgating the decrees of the
said Ecumenical Councils, or by our holy Fathers. For all these, being
illumined by the same Spirit, defined such things as were expedient.
Accordingly those whom they placed under anathema, we likewise anathematize;
those whom they deposed, we also depose; those whom they excommunicated, we
also excommunicate; and those whom they delivered over to punishment, we
subject to the same penalty. And now "let your conversation be without
covetousness," crieth out Paul the divine Apostle, who was caught up into
the third heaven and heard unspeakable words.
Canon II.
That he who is to be ordained a Bishop must be steadfastly resolved to
observe the canons, otherwise he shall not be ordained.
When we recite the psalter, we promise God: "I will meditate upon
thy statutes, and will not forget thy words." It is a salutary thing for
all Christians to observe this, but it is especially incumbent upon those who
have received the sacerdotal dignity. Therefore we decree, that every one who
is raised to the rank of the episcopate shall know the psalter by heart, so
that from it he may admonish and instruct all the clergy who are subject to
him. And diligent examination shall be made by the metropolitan whether he be
zealously inclined to read diligently, and not merely now and then, the sacred
canons, the holy Gospel, and the book of the divine Apostle, and all other
divine Scripture; and whether he lives according to God's commandments, and
also teaches the same to his people. For the special treasure (ousia) of our high priesthood is the oracles
which have been divinely delivered to us, that is the true science of the
Divine Scriptures, as says Dionysius the Great. And if his mind be not set, and
even glad, so to do and teach, let him not be ordained. For says God by the
prophet, "Thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou
shalt be no priest to me."
Canon III.
That it does not pertain to princes to choose a Bishop.
Let every election of a bishop, presbyter, or deacon, made by princes
stand null, according to the canon which says: If any bishop making use of the
secular powers shall by their means obtain jurisdiction over any church, he
shall be deposed, and also excommunicated, together with all who remain in
communion with him. For he who is raised to the episcopate must be chosen by
bishops, as was decreed by the holy fathers of Nice in the canon which says: It
is most fitting that a bishop be ordained by all the bishops in the province;
but if this is difficult to arrange, either on account of urgent necessity, or
because of the length of the journey, three bishops at least having met
together and given their votes, those also who are absent having signified
their assent by letters, the ordination shall take place. The confirmation of
what is thus done, shall in each province be given by the metropolitan thereof.
Canon IV.
That Bishops are to abstain from all receiving of gifts.
The Church's herald, Paul the divine Apostle, laying down a rule (kanona) not only for the presbyters of
Ephesus but for the whole company of the priesthood, speaks thus explicitly,
saying, "I have coveted no man's silver or gold, or apparel. I have shewed
you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak;" for
he accounted it more blessed to give. Therefore we being taught by him do
decree, that under no circumstances, shall a Bishop for the sake of filthy
lucre invent feigned excuses for sins, and exact gold or silver or other gifts
from the bishops, clergy, or monks who are subject to him. For says the
Apostle, "The unrighteous shall not possess the kingdom of God," and,
"The children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the
children." If then any is found, who for the sake of exacting gold or any
other gift, or who from personal feeling, has suspended from the ministry, or
even excommunicated, any of the clergy subject to his jurisdiction, or who has
closed any of the venerable temples, so that the service of God may not be
celebrated in it, pouring out his madness even upon things insensible, and thus
shewing himself to be without understanding, he shall be subjected to the same
punishment he devised for others, and his trouble shall return on his own head,
as a transgressor of God's commandment and of the apostolic precepts. For Peter
the supreme head (h kerufaia akrothj)
of the Apostles commands, "Feed the flock of God which is among you,
taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy
lucre but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over the clergy (twn klh-rwn
[A. V. God's heritage] ); but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief
shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not
away."
Canon V.
That they who cast contumely upon clerics because they have been ordained
in the church without bringing a gift with them, are to be published with a
fine.
IT is a sin unto death when men incorrigibly continue in their sin, but
they sin more deeply, who proudly lifting themselves up oppose piety and
sincerity, accounting mammon of more worth than obedience to God, and caring
nothing for his canonical precepts. The Lord God is not found among such,
unless, perchance, having been humbled by their own fall, they return to a
sober mind. It behooves them the rather to turn to God with a contrite heart
and to pray for forgiveness and pardon of so grave a sin, and no longer to
boast in an unholy gift. For the Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite
heart. With regard, therefore, to those who pride themselves that because of
their benefactions of gold they were ordained in the Church, and resting
confidently in this evil custom (so alien from God and inconsistent with the
whole priesthood), with a proud look and open mouth vilify with abusive words
those who on account of the strictness of their life were chosen by the Holy
Ghost and have been ordained without any gift of money, we decree in the first
place that they take the lowest place in their order; but if they do not amend
let them be subjected to a fine. But if it appear that any one has done this
[i.e., given money], at any time as a price for ordination, let him be dealt
with according to the Apostolic Canon which says: "If a bishop has
obtained possession of his dignity by means of money (the same rule applies
also to a presbyter or deacon) let him be deposed and also the one who ordained
him, and let him also be altogether cut off from communion, even as Simon Magus
was by me Peter." To the same effect is the second canon of our holy
fathers of Chalcedon, which says: If any bishop gives ordination in return for
money, and puts up for sale that which cannot be sold, and ordains for money a
bishop or Chorepiscopus, or presbyter, or deacon, or any other of those who are
reckoned among the clergy; or who for money shall appoint anyone to the office
of Oeconomus, advocate, or Paramonarius; or, in a word, who hath done anything
else contrary to the canon, for the sake of filthy lucre-he who hath undertaken
to do anything of this sort, having been convicted, shall be in danger of losing
his degree. And he who has been ordained shall derive no advantage from the
ordination or promotion thus negotiated; but let him remain a stranger to the
dignity and responsibility which he attained by means of money. And if any one
shall appear to have acted as a go-between in so shameful and godless a
traffic, lie also, if he be a cleric, shall be removed from his degree; if he
be a layman or a monk, let him be excommunicated.
.Canon VI.
Concerning the homing of a local Synod at the time appointed.
Since there is a canon which says, twice a year in each province, the
canonical inquiries shall be made in the gatherings of the bishops; but because
of the inconveniences which those who thus came together had to undergo in
travelling, the holy fathers of the Sixth Council decreed that once each year,
without regard to place or excuse which might be urged, a council should be
held and the things which are amiss corrected. This canon we now renew. And if
any prince be found hindering this being carried out, let him be
excommunicated. But if any of the metropolitans shall take no care that this be
done, he being free from constraint or fear or other reasonable excuse, let him
be subjected to the canonical penalties. While the council is engaged in
considering the canons or matters which have regard to the Gospel, it behoves
the assembled Bishops, with all attention and grave thought to guard the divine
and life-giving commandments of God, for in keeping of them there is great
reward; because our lamp is the commandment, and our light is the law, and
trial and discipline are the way of life, and the commandment of the Lord
shining afar giveth light to the eyes. It is not permitted to a metropolitan to
demand any of those things which the bishops bring with them, whether it be a
horse or any other gift. If he be convicted of doing anything of this sort, he
shall restore fourfold.
Canon VII.
That to churches consecrated without any deposit of the relics of the
Saints, the defect should be made good.
Paul the divine Apostle says: "The sins of some are open beforehand,
and some they follow after." These are their primary sins, and other sins
follow these. Accordingly upon the heels of the heresy of the traducers of the
Christians, there followed close other ungodliness. For as they took out of the
churches the presence of the venerable images, so likewise they cast aside
other customs which we must now revive and maintain in accordance with the
written and unwritten law. We decree therefore that relics shall be placed with
the accustomed service in as many of the sacred temples as have been
consecrated without the relics of the Martyrs. And if any bishop from this time
forward is found consecrating a temple without holy relics, he shall be
deposed, as a transgressor of the ecclesiastical traditions.
Canon VIII.
That Hebrews ought not to be received unless they have been converted in
sincerity of heart.
Since certain, erring in the superstitions of the Hebrews, have thought
to mock at Christ our God, and feigning to be converted to the religion of
Christ do deny him, and in private and secretly keep the Sabbath and observe
other Jewish customs, we decree that such persons be not received to communion,
nor to prayers, nor into the Church; but let them be openly Hebrews according
to their religion, and let them not bring their children to baptism, nor
purchase or possess a slave. But if any of them, out of a sincere heart and in
faith, is converted and makes profession with his whole heart, setting at
naught their customs and observances, and so that others may be convinced and
converted, such an one is to be received and baptized, and his children
likewise; and let them be taught to take care to hold aloof from the ordinances
of the Hebrews. But if they will not do this, let them in no wise be received.
Canon IX.
That none of the books containing the heresy of the traducers of the
Christians are to be hid.
All the childish devices and mad ravings which have been falsely written
against the venerable images, must be delivered up to the Episcopium of
Constantinople, that they may be locked away with other heretical books. And if
anyone is found hiding such books, if he be a bishop or presbyter or deacon,
let him be deposed; but if he be a monk or layman, let him be anathema.
Canon X.
That no cleric ought to leave his diocese and go into another without the
knowledge of the Bishop.
Since certain of the clergy, misinterpreting the canonical constitutions,
leave their own diocese and run into other dioceses, especially into this
God-protected royal city, and take up their abode with princes, celebrating
liturgies in their oratories, it is not permitted to receive such persons into
any house or church without the license of their own Bishop and also that of
the Bishop of Constantinople. And if any clerk shall do this without such
license, and shall so continue, let him be deposed. With regard to those who
have done this with the knowledge of the aforesaid Bishops, it is not lawful
for them to undertake mundane and secular responsibilities, since this is
forbidden by the sacred canons. And if anyone is discovered holding the office
of those who are called Meizoteroi; let him either lay it down, or be deposed
from the priesthood. Let him rather be the instructor of the children and
others of the household, reading to them the Divine Scriptures, for to this end
he received the priesthood.
Canon XI.
That Oeconomi ought to be in the Episcopal palaces and in the
Monasteries.
Since we are under obligation to guard all the divine canons, we ought by
all means to maintain in its integrity that one which says oeconomi are to be
in each church. If the metropolitan appoints in his Church an oeconomus, he
does well; but if he does not, it is permitted to the Bishop of Constantinople
by his own (idiaj) authority to
choose an oeconomus for the Church of the Metropolitan. A like authority
belongs to the metropolitans, if the Bishops who are subject to them do not
wish to appoint oeconomi in their churches. The same rule is also to be
observed with respect to monasteries.
Canon XII.
That a Bishop or Hegumenos ought not to alienate any part of the suburban
estate of the church.
IF bishop or hegumenos is found alienating any part of the farm lands of
the bishopric or monastery into the hands of secular princes, or surrendering
them to any other person, such act is null according to the canon of the holy
Apostles, which says: "Let the bishop take care of all the Church's goods,
and let him administer the same according as in the sight of God." It is
not lawful for him to appropriate any part himself, or to confer upon his
relations the things which belong to God. If they are poor let them be helped
among the poor; but let them not be used as a pretext for smuggling away the
Church's property. And if it be urged that the land is only a loss and yields
no profit, the place is not on that account to be given to the secular rulers,
who are in the neighborhood; but let it be given to clergymen or husbandmen.
And if they have resorted to dishonest craft, so that the ruler has bought the
land from the husbandman or cleric, such transaction shall likewise be null,
and the land shall be restored to the bishopric or monastery. And the bishop or
hegumenos doing this shall be turned out, the bishop from his bishopric and the
hegumenos from his monastery, as those who wasted what they did not gather.
Notes.
.
Canon XIII.
That they are worthy of special condemnation who turn the monasteries
into public houses. During the calamity which was brought to pass in the
Churches, because of our sins, some of the sacred houses, for example, bishops'
palaces and monasteries, were seized by certain men and became public inns. If
those who now hold them choose to give them back, so that they may be restored
to their original use, well and good; but if not, and these persons are on the
sacerdotal list, we command that they be deposed; if they be monks or laymen,
that they be excommunicated, as those who have been condemned from the Father,
and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and assigned their place where the worm dieth
not and the fire is not quenched, because they set themselves against the voice
of the Lord, which says:"Make not my Father's house an house of
merchandise."
Canon XIV.
That no one without ordination ought to read in the ambo during the
synaxis.
That there is a certain order established in the priesthood is very
evident to all, and to guard diligently the promotions of the priesthood is
well pleasing to God. Since therefore we see certain youths who have received
the clerical tonsure, but who have not yet received ordination from the bishop,
reading in the ambo during the Synaxis, and in doing this violating the canons,
we forbid this to be done (from henceforth,) and let this prohibition be
observed also amongst the monks. It is permitted to each hegumenos in his own
monastery to ordain a reader, if he himself had received the laying on of hands
by a bishop to the dignity of hegumenos, and is known to be a presbyter. Chorepiscopi
may likewise, according to ancient custom and with the bishop's authorization,
appoint readers.1
Canon XV.
That a clerk ought not to be set over two churches.
From henceforth no clergyman shall be appointed over two churches, for
this savours of merchandise and filthy lucre, and is altogether alien from
ecclesiastical custom. We have heard by the very voice of the Lord that,
"No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love
the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other." Each
one, therefore, as says the Apostle, in the calling wherein he was called, in
the same he ought to abide, and in one only church to give attendance. For in
the affairs of the Church, what is gained through filthy lucre is altogether
separate from God. To meet the necessities of this life, there are various
occupations, by means of which, if one so desire, let him procure the things
needful for the body. For says the Apostle, "These hands have ministered
unto my necessities, and to them that were with me." Occupations of this
sort may be obtained in the God-protected city. But in the country places
outside, because of the small number of people, let a dispensation be granted.
Canon XVI.
That it does not become one in holy orders to be clad in costly apparel.
All buffoonery and decking of the body ill becomes the priestly rank.
Therefore those bishops and clerics who array themselves in gay and showy
clothing ought to correct themselves, and if they do not amend they ought to be
subjected to punishment. So likewise they who anoint themselves with perfumes.
When the root of bitterness sprang up, there was poured into the Catholic
Church the pollution of the heresy of the traducers of the Christians. And such
as were defiled by it, not only detested the pictured images, but also set at
naught all decorum, being exceedingly mad against those who lived gravely and
religiously; so that in them was fulfilled that which is written, "The
service of God is abominable to the sinner." If therefore, any are found
deriding those who are clad in poor and grave raiment, let them be corrected by
punishment. For from early times every man in holy orders wore modest and grave
clothing; and verily whatever is worn, not so much because of necessity, as for
the sake of outward show, savours of dandyism, as says Basil the Great. Nor did
anyone array himself in raiment embroidered with silk, nor put many coloured
ornaments on the border of his garments; for they had heard from the lips of
God that "They that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses."
Canon XVII.
That he shall not be allowed to begin the building of an oratory, who has
not the means wherewith to finish it.
Certain monks having left their monasteries because they desired to rule,
and, unwilling to obey, are undertaking to build oratories, but have not the
means to finish them. Now whoever shall undertake to do anything of this sort,
let him be forbidden by the bishop of the place. But if he have the means
wherewith to finish, let what he has designed be carried on to completion. The
same rule is to be observed with regard to laymen and clerics.
Canon XVIII.
That women ought not to live in bishops' houses, nor in monasteries of
men.
"BE ye without offence to those who are without," says the
divine Apostle. Now for women to live in Bishops' houses or in monasteries is
ground for grave offence. Whoever therefore is known to have a female slave or
freewoman in the episcopal palace or in a monastery for the discharge of some
service, let him be rebuked. And if he still continue to retain her, let him be
deposed. If it happens that women are on the suburban estates, and the bishop
or hegumenos desires to go thither, so long as the bishop or hegumenos is
present, let no woman at that time continue her work, but let her betake
herself to some other place until the bishop lot hegumenos1
] has departed, so that there be no occasion of complaint.
Canon XX
That from henceforth, no double monastery shall be erected; and
concerning the double monasteries already in existence.
WE decree that from henceforth, no double monastery shall be erected;
because this has become an offence and cause of complaint to many. In the case
of those persons who with the members of their family propose to leave the
world and follow the monastic life, let the men go into a monastery for men,
and the women into a monastery for women; for this is well-pleasing to God. The
double monasteries which are already in existence, shall observe the rule of
our holy Father Basil, and shall be ordered by his precepts, monks and nuns
shall not dwell together in the same monastery, for in thus living together
adultery finds its occasion. No monk shall have access to a nunnery; nor shall
a nun be permitted to enter a monastery for the sake of conversing with anyone
therein. No monk shall sleep in a monastery for women, nor eat alone with a
nun.1
When food is brought by men to the canonesses, let the abbess accompanied by
some one of the aged nuns, receive it outside the gates of the women's
monastery. When a monk desires to see one of his kinswomen, who may be in the
nunnery, let him converse with her in the presence of the abbess, and that in a
very few words, and then let him speedily take his departure.
Canon XXI.
That monks are not to leave their monasteries and go into others.
A Monk or nun ought not to leave the monastery to which he or she is
attached, and betake themselves to others. But if one do this, he ought to be
received as a guest. It is not however proper that he be made a member of the
monastery, without the consent of his hegumenos.
Canon XXII.
That when it happens that monies have to eat with women they ought to
observe giving of thanks, and abstemiousness, and discretion.
To surrender all things to God, and not to serve our own wills, is great
gain. For says the divine Apostle, " whether ye eat or drink, do all to
the glory of God." And Christ our God has bidden us in his Gospels, to cut
off the beginning of sins; for not only is adultery rebuked by him, but even
the movement of the mind towards the act of adultery when he says,
"Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery
with her already in his heart." We who have been thus taught ought
therefore to purify our minds. Now although all things are lawful, all things
are not expedient, as we have been taught by the mouth of the Apostle. It is
needful that all men should eat in order that they may live. And for those to
whom life consists of marrying, and bringing forth children, and of the
condition of the lay state, there is nothing unbecoming in men and women eating
together, only let them give thanks to the giver of the food; but if there be
the entertainment of the theatre, that is, Satanic songs accompanied with the
meretricious inflections of harps, there come upon them, through these things,
the curse of the prophet, who thus speaks: "Woe to them who drink wine
with harp and psaltery, but they regard not the works of the Lord, and consider
not the works of his hands." Whenever persons of this sort are found among
Christians, let them amend their ways; but if they will not do so, let there
overtake them the penalties which have been enacted in the canons by our
predecessors. With regard to those whose life is free from care and apart from
men, that is, those who have resolved before the Lord God to carry the solitary
yoke, they should sit down alone and in silence. Moreover it is also altogether
unlawful for those who have chosen the priestly life to eat in private with
women, unless it be with God-fearing and discreet men and women, so that even
their feast may be turned to spiritual edification. The same rule is to be
observed with relatives. Again, if it happen that a monk or priest while on a journey
does not have with him what is absolutely necessary for him, and, because of
his pressing needs, thinks well to turn aside into an inn or into someone's
house, this he is permitted to do, seeing that need compels.