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.
Because of much disturbance and the mutinies that took place, it has semed best to do away altogether with the custom which obtained contrary to the Apostolical Canon in some places, so as not to allow either a Bishop, or a Presbyter, or a deacon to go from one city to another. If, after the holy and great councils definition, anyone should attempt to do such a thing, or has actually undertaken to do such a thing, let the resulting affair be invalidated by all means, and let him be reinstated in the church in which the Bishop or Presbyter in question was ordained
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.